Alvaro Morata v Romelu Lukaku - Is the criticism fair and are their lack of goals a concern?

Indeed, the Belgian and Spaniard have both gone six games without a goal and it’s lead to criticism and questioning of the pair ahead of the key clash.

With that in mind, we ask and answer the same three questions of the two strikers.

MORATA

ARE HIS LACK OF GOALS A CONCERN?

Morata hasn’t scored since his return from a hamstring problem he suffered against Man City and it’s understandably taken him some time to get comfortable again.

The 25-year-old missed chances in the narrow win over Bournemouth, a first-half one-on-one sliced wide indicative of an absence in sharpness.

But Morata’s contribution elsewhere has slightly atoned for his profligacy in front of goal with a well-worked assist for Eden Hazard’s winner against the Cherries an example of his wider contribution.

It is concern, though, that according to ESPN, statistically his shot rate has dropped from the 3.4 per game during his run of seven goals in eight games to just 1.8 in his last six appearances.

Still, Morata is in the adaptive stage of his Premier League career and adjusting to the physicality of English football coupled with a spell out injured won’t have helped.

After all, he has the talent and perhaps more tools than Lukaku to affect the game beyond goals.

IS THE CRITICISM WRONG?

The Chelsea frontman has practically invited criticism after he raised significant doubt over his long-term future with the club following comments regarding life in London.

The timing couldn’t have been much worse considering the media maelstrom which hangs over Stamford Bridge and the interview has piled more unnecessary pressure on his shoulders.

On the pitch, though, the mitigating circumstance of his injury and the fact it’s still very early in his Chelsea career means criticism of his performances are premature.

Ultimately, he was bought with the task of replacing the big-game goals of Diego Costa and having done just that for Real Madrid and Juventus, the Spain international can drain out the negative analysis by ending his mini drought against United.

IS HE GETTING ENOUGH SERVICE?

One of the conundrums Antonio Conte faced when integrating Morata into his side was his isolation without a partner in alongside him.

Chelsea began the season without the creativity of injured Eden Hazard and their attack look disjointed without him.

But the Belgian’s return has opened new avenues of attack and his connection with Morata in particular has looked threatening.

As mentioned earlier, though, Morata’s shot count has dropped but he’s attempted five in his last two which is a rise on the two from his previous two games before that.

Service is less an issue but coping with the physical demands is an area of obvious improvement given his frustrating flopping – it’s also why United’s formidable back three of Phil Jones, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling perhaps provide his toughest examination.

LUKAKU

ARE HIS LACK OF GOALS A CONCERN?

Like Morata, Lukaku has not scored since September but similarly to the Spaniard, the Belgian has contributed in other areas.

His clever headed assist against Tottenham for Anthony Martial’s goal sealed a quintessential Jose Mourinho 1-0 win while his whipped in cross to Marcus Rashford against Huddersfield was the side’s sole bright spark.

The portrait of Lukaku has always been one of a clinical goalscorer who doesn’t possess the ability to deliver much else.

So when the goals dry it up it’s always of course an immediate concern.

But dig past the stats – his average of 4.2 shots per game during his 11 goals in 10 games has now dropped to 1.8 in his last six – and you’ll see context is crucial.

United have predictably played more pragmatically in their last six games having taken in testing trips to Benfica and Liverpool while hosting cut-throat Spurs and the Portuguese giants.

There’s no doubt Lukaku will be back on the goalscoring trail but his 15 goals in 59 league matches against the top six suggests it may not start against his former club.

IS THE CRITICISM WRONG?

Speak to some sections of United’s support and they’ll ask ‘what criticism? It’s not from us!’

Indeed, there is an appreciation from large sections of the Red Devils faithful and perhaps the harsh assessment is outside the Old Trafford stands despite Mourinho’s claims.

The £75million price tag will undoubtedly heap pressure on his shoulders but as Lukaku defiantly pointed out, he’s far from the finished article.

Six games without a goal when you’ve been signed for your match-winning prowess will summon the detractors, though.

Go scoreless against Chelsea and continue the trend of underperforming against the top six and the criticism becomes more justified.

IS HE GETTING ENOUGH SERVICE?

This is arguably the most pertinent point when assessing Lukaku’s recent run.

United’s midfield has been bereft of ingenuity and in Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s case, confidence.

Without the elegant creation of Paul Pogba or the physicality of Marouane Fellaini to work off, the supply line to Lukaku has been cut.

Mkhitaryan’s dire form in particular has been crippling. When United do set-up to contain and counter, his role in the side is vital as the Armenian supplies Lukaku in the transition.

But he’s been ponderous and without idea in that No10 position.

Mourinho would do well to release the rigidity and operate with pace either side of Lukaku through Martial and Marcus Rashford to rectify the issue.