There was a cause of concern for all Manchester United fans as their club’s top scorer this season, Romelu Lukaku, injured his ankle during the second-half of their tie with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday and was forced off the pitch.
50′ – @MarcusRashford comes on in place of @RomeluLukaku9, who has limped off with a knock. #MUFC #MUNARS
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 29, 2018
Lukaku collected a pass with his back to the goal and as he tried to turn, debutant Konstantinos Mavropanos put in hard, but fair challenge on the Belgian striker. The Greek defender’s follow through caught Lukaku, however, and he crumpled in a heap.
Marcus Rashford was immediately sent to warm up and replaced his teammate in the 50th minute itself as it became apparent that Lukaku couldn’t carry on.
United had been leading 1-0 courtesy of Paul Pogba’s first-half goal but soon after Lukaku’s exit, found themselves pegged back thanks to former Red Devils man Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s fine strike in the 51st minute.
Jose Mourinho’s men have two Premier League games left in their season, but the Portuguese tactician will want his No.9 to be fit in time for their FA Cup final against Chelsea.
The tie at Wembley Stadium takes place on May 19 and while no diagnosis has been given on Lukaku’s complaint, he is automatically a doubt for the cup clash.
Since arriving from Everton at the start of the season for a cool £75 million, the Belgian has found the back of the net 28 times and it’s safe to assume that without him in the side, the Red Devils will struggle to score.
However, the United faithful can take solace from the fact that Lukaku didn’t have to get stretchered off and could walk, albeit with some difficulty, which would suggest the injury layoff might not be a long one.