Romelu Lukaku is racing against time to be fit for the FA Cup final clash with Chelsea on May 19, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted.
“We hope he can play in the final,” Mourinho stated at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
United host Watford in their final Premier League clash of the season and Lukaku is certainly expected to miss the tie against the Hornets.
The burly forward suffered an ankle injury during United’s 2-1 win over Arsenal on April 28 and has not been in action since then.
In fact, the 24-year-old immediately left for his native Belgium and has been undergoing treatment there ever since.
“He is in Belgium, having his treatment with communication between the doctors in Belgium and our medical department.”
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In the two games Lukaku has missed since the Arsenal clash, United have failed to score even once as they have slumped to a 1-0 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion before drawing 0-0 with West Ham United on Thursday night.
The likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have failed to impress in Lukaku’s absence, with Mourinho slamming the duo for underperforming.
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“We are just waiting to see if it’s possible for him to be involved in the final. If not starting, then at least on the bench,” the Portuguese tactician added.
United, despite finishing in their highest-ever position since Alex Ferguson retired, have not impressed fans with their displays so far and the FA Cup is their last chance of lifting any silverware this season.
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Should Lukaku not be able to recover in time, Mourinho could be tempted to bypass Rashford and Martial by opting to start Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez as a false-nine.