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Man Utd news: Romelu Lukaku’s old team-mate reveals secret to his success against Arsenal
ROMELU LUKAKU played on the right for Manchester United in their 3-1 win over Arsenal on Friday - but it was not the first time he had played in that role against the Gunners.
Lukaku’s former team-mate Sylvain Distin has reminisced how Everton utilised the Belgian in that position on occasions against Arsenal.
Despite Marcus Rashford dropping to the bench on Friday, Lukaku did not play in his familiar central striker role.
The 25-year-old put in a man of the match performance at the Emirates to send his side through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Lukaku laid on the assist for Manchester United’s first two goals from former Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard.
When he played for Everton we played him in the same position against Arsenal actually
Fans on social media questioned why United interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chose to play Lukaku out wide.
But Distin says it was successful when Lukaku faced Arsenal in an Everton shirt.
“If you take Lukaku’s case for example, when he played for Everton we played him in the same position against Arsenal actually,” Distin said on Football Focus.
“That allowed him to have a one v one in every situation.
“He’s so powerful and you know he’s going to create chances.
“I prefer to see him in the box, scoring goals.
“But at the moment he needs to get back in the squad [team] and I think that’s great for him.”
Former Arsenal Women captain Alex Scott was impressed with Solskjaer’s tactics in north London.
“We have to credit him [Solskjaer] for the changes he made yesterday,” Scott said.
“With Lukaku playing on that space on the right, first of all you’re questioning it.
“But you can see why, Man United on the counter attack really exploited Arsenal yesterday.”
Solskjaer will look to make it nine wins from nine on Tuesday when they host struggling Burnley at Old Trafford.