Mourinho speaks on Lukaku’s first goal, Mata’s injury after Real Salt Lake friendly

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has revealed that he told new striker, Romelu Lukaku, not to be obsessed about scoring, before the 24-year-old netted in their 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Monday.

Lukaku scored what proved to be the winner, after Henrikh Mkhitaryan cancelled out Luis Silva’s opener.

“I think it’s just nice for him, it’s not important for me,” Mourinho said after the match.

“Before he scored the goal I told him ‘I love everything you do on the pitch – don’t be worried about scoring or not scoring’.

“He gets behind people, works and presses well. I like everything he does. It’s easy to feel it because he was my player four years ago his evolution has been great. He’s now a top striker. The goal is just a detail, not important.”

Mourinho also reacted to the red card Antonio Valencia picked up 22 minutes before the game ended and Juan Mata’s injury.

Referee Allen Chapman initially awarded a free-kickm but the MLS official then suddenly brandished a red card after speaking with Mourinho on the sidelines.

“I think the delay was because the referee asked me to change the player and I didn’t.

“Because I don’t agree with the card. Because Saucedo, I think is the name of the boy, he was really aggressive during all of the second-half, with what happened to Mata and some other actions where it was a bit dangerous, which I understand.

“Young people, enthusiasm playing against Manchester United, but you come with the mentality of a friendly match and in the end you find yourself in a different mentality.

“But it’s pre-season, no problem and also a good experience for us to play with one player less.

“Mata has a big ankle but I hope nothing important. A few days, a week maybe,” Mourinho said.

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