Why Lukaku to Manchester United is a good buy

Manchester United have signed Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku from English Premier League side Everton for 75 million pounds(could rise to 90 with add-ons). Is this a good or a bad buy? Let's find out.

1.HE IS A STRIKER

With Zlatan Ibramhimovic not being offered an option of a 1 year extension (at this moment) and Wayne Rooney looking like he has played his last game for Manchester United( he has since returned to his boyhood club Everton) the Reds only had the teenage Marcus Rashford on their books as a striker.

With the experiment of false 9s (Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marouane Fellaini) and converting wingers like Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Angel Di Maria into strikers failing, Jose Mourinho recognised the need for a proper centre forward if Manchester United were to challenge for the Premier League Title. Antoine Griezmann, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, Alvaro Morata and Andrea Belotti were some of the names that the club was reportedly interested in signing.

The club had significant interest in striker Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid, but the Frenchman chose to remain as his club were handed a two transfer window buying ban by FIFA. A deal with Real Madrid for Alvaro Morata seemed unlikely as the Spanish side wanted any deal to include Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

2. PREMIER LEAGUE EXPERIENCE

From the above mentioned list of players only Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku have the experience of playing in the Premier League. In the past Manchester United have signed quality players from leagues across the continent-Angel di Maria from La Liga side Real Madrid, Memphis Depay from Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven, only to see them struggle to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.

Anthony Martial from Ligue 1 side A.S.Monaco, is one player who has somewhat held his own but he hasn't exactly set the league on fire. His returns are what a club like Manchester United would expect from their attacking midfielders. The Premier League experience category left only Harry Kane and Romelu Kukaku as options that the Manchester United board and manager Jose Mourinho would consider.

3. PRICE TAG?

With Harry Kane leading the line at the most consistent side in the Premier League over the past two seasons, and Spurs qualifying for the Champions League on a regular basis, any attempt to bring Tottenham to the negotiating table would have to see Manchester United stump out in excess of 120 million pounds.

In the present day, there is a lack of true centre forwards. They are so scarce a commodity that it is massive news when a top quality centre forward is transferred. The prices are exorbitant for these rare individuals who are deemed as worthy of being part of top clubs.

75 million pounds for Lukaku is a steal, as he has the Premier League experience. He is the 2nd best Premier League striker and has hit in excess of 60 goals in the past three seasons, with mid table club Everton. He is 24 and is yet to really reach the prime of his career and the club could have purchased him as a long term investment.

A combination of these 3 factors could show us that it's a good buy.

The lure of the Champions league could drive him to find that extra gear-

Romelu Lukaku has publicly stated that it his dream to play in the Champions League. With Manchester United he will be assured of that opportunity as the lead striker.

He scores against small teams and disappears in big games-

Everton is a team that is a rung below the Big 6 of EPL. When Everton play the big teams, the defences know they just have to focus on Lukaku, while the midfield aims to stifle out the supply to the Belgian who cuts a lone figure in the opposition half. At Manchester United, the defences won't know who to mark and Lukaku could have a free reign. Defences will have to be alert from a run from Manchester United's star studded midfield. 

Lukaku has been accused of being a small team bully-

The people behind those accusations really need to sort out their definition of small teams as the Belgian has netted against teams like Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs and Liverpool.

Also, Manchester United struggled to break through the so called small teams defences like Burnley where they had 38 shots on target. Smart strategy by Jose Mourinho? Struggle to score against small teams, buy a small team destroyer.

Lukaku has scored just 1 goal in 3 halves played during pre-season, but what matters is how he fares in his first competitive game which could be considered as a ‘ Baptism by Fire’ where Europa League Champions Manchester United take on Champions League winners Real Madrid.