Eight games without a goal: Berbatov reveals how Lukaku can get back to scoring

The Belgium international has been told to stop over-complicating his game as he looks to end a woeful run in front of goal

Dimitar Berbatov has called for Romelu Lukaku’s critics to lay off the Manchester United striker and urged him to go back to keeping things simple to regain his scoring touch.

Lukaku has struggled for form this season and drew another blank as United lost 1-0 to Juventus in the Champions League earlier this week.

The former Everton and Chelsea forward has scored just four goals this season, and has gone eight games without finding the net in all competitions.

Jose Mourinho admitted earlier this week that Lukaku’s form is worrying, but Berbatov, who scored 48 goals across four seasons at United, winning two Premier League titles, believes that the Belgium international should be backed by fans and pundits alike.

“There has been a lot of criticism for Romelu Lukaku since the game but you’ll never catch me having a go at a fellow striker,” he told Betfair.

“I know how difficult it is.

“I remember when I was on a bad run at United when I hadn’t scored for seven or eight games, but then scored five in one game. It happens to everyone.

“I know he’s not scored for eight games, but I don’t think the criticism of Lukaku is fair. As Jose Mourinho said, he’s working very hard for the team, but this might actually be working against the striker.

“He wants to impress so badly that he is doing too much, and not doing the simple things like getting into the box.

“He is probably over complicating things; you don’t want to see him popping up at left-back as he did on Tuesday.”

Lukaku will have another chance to find the net when United face his former club Everton this weekend.

Games against Bournemouth and Manchester City in the league, plus the return trip to Juventus in the Champions League, follow before the international break.