Solskjaer Reveals The Tactical Change He Made In Romelu Lukaku’s Position vs Bournemouth

Romelu Lukaku was back to scoring for Manchester United on Sunday, when he netted the winner in the 4-1 win over AFC Bournemouth, coming on as a substitute.

The cameo was his first piece of action under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, having taken a compassionate period of leave during the first two games.

Much was made about the Belgian’s potential role under the caretaker manager, with many speculating that Lukaku’s normal style simply didn’t fit United’s evolved attacking ethos.

Indeed, the striker’s reliance on receiving balls and finishing them clinically as his sole role in the game was beginning to be a point of criticism amongst supporters and pundits, but under Solskjaer, that has changed.

RELATED:

https:/2018/12/31/man-united-fans-noticed-something-different-about-romelu-lukaku-vs-bournemouth/

The Norwegian gaffer admitted that there was a variation in Lukaku’s positioning, stating (via MEN): “Yeah, at times. 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.”

RELATED:

https:/2018/12/31/solskjaers-reaction-to-marcus-rashfords-sublime-skill-vs-bournemouth/

It was classy of Solskjaer to agree that the goal was offside, and supporters will be hoping that this new role for Lukaku will be a recurrent theme for the months to come.

The gaffer also remarked about his three-game win-streak: “It’s quite a few years since I was here but this [winning regularly] is how it was. I’ve just gone about the job as I experienced it here as a player and a young coach.

“We want to go attacking, we’ve been at home two games now and the crowd, we have to entertain them.”