Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants Romelu Lukaku to avoid playing as a target man for Manchester United and have a freer role.
Lukaku who missed Solskjaer’s first two matches in charge on compassionate grounds, replaced Marcus Rashford in the 70th minute of United’s 4-1 win over Bournemouth and scored within two minutes.
The Belgium international ended last season with 27 goals but his strike against Bournemouth was only Lukaku’s seventh of a profligate season in which he has squandered numerous chances in matches United dropped points in.
A criticism of former United manager Jose Mourinho’s use of Lukaku was that the 25-year-old was too immobile to play as a figurehead in an era where teams’ attacks are spearheaded by fluid forwards. Lukaku also admitted earlier this month he gained more muscle for the World Cup, which has had an adverse effect on his club form.
Lukaku’s encouraging start under Solskjaer pleased the Norwegian, who revealed he has given the United number nine a new remit.
“Yeah, at times,” Solskjaer said of Lukaku’s positional changes. “He’s a good target man but if you tell him to be a target man he’ll never face the goal.
“Today he was side on and then he can go in behind or go towards the ball. He’s got the attributes of a top, top striker.
“Obviously we need to work on his fitness because he’s had a few days off but delighted for him. Even though he was half a yard offside! But it was a good finish.”
Solskjaer became only the third United manager in history to win their first three league games after Mourinho and Sir Matt Busby. All of United’s triumphs have come against bottom nine teams and another await on Wednesday in Newcastle at St James’ Park.