Michael Carrick has insisted he and Manchester United are fully aware of Romelu Lukaku’s quality should the Chelsea striker play on Sunday afternoon.
Thomas Tuchel said: “Romelu is in training. If you ask the player he will say he can start for sure. There is a bigger difference between being ready for training and being ready for games. There is also a difference between being ready for games and being ready for a Premier League game. We only have three changes so the possibility he starts is not very high because we can’t be sure what happens in matches and we have to find the balance between giving minutes and being absolutely competitive for 90 minutes with the guys that start.”
So, there is definitely an opportunity for Lukaku to feature against United – where he spent two years between 2017 and 2019 – at the weekend, but any appearance looks likely to be from the bench. Carrick, who is the caretaker manager of the Manchester-based club at the moment following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure, has spoke about Lukaku and has insisted he is fully aware of the threat the Belgium international poses.
Michael Carrick said: “It feels like a long time ago! He went to Italy and did very well then went to Chelsea. It will be good to see Rom again. He is a terrific footballer, scored goals wherever he has been. If Rom plays we are well aware of what he brings.”
