HomeFeatured ArticlesCan Sanchez-Lukaku Partnership Hit It Off This Season?

Can Sanchez-Lukaku Partnership Hit It Off This Season?

The idea of a strike partnership surely will excite United fans, which is evident after the Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke combination that produced a devastating effect in that treble-winning season. Sir Alex always made it a case to have four strikers in the squad. The two man strike partnerships were taken over by a three/four (4-3-3, 4-2-3-1) man attack midway through the first decade of the millennium, and it has been used scarcely since.

After Sanchez’s arrival from Arsenal in January Mourinho struggled to find the perfect position for him in his squad. In the end, he was used on the left wing at the expense of Martial and Rashford. If Sanchez plays off Lukaku it could be the scariest strike partnership in all of Europe. This could only mean lots of riches for United fans who indulge in betting and if you too gamble, the chances of you winning a bet can substantially increase with reliable football betting tips.

Pogba’s resurgence will help the partnership

Mourinho was adamant at using Pogba in a two-man pivot. Matić’s arrival from Chelsea afforded him some freedom to go further up the pitch. But this formation required a disciplined performance from Pogba to help Matić in defending. Pogba would often get into the inside left channel to help in the attack. But he would fail to drop back after United lost the ball. This left United in a vulnerable situation while defending.

Another reason for playing Sanchez behind Lukaku didn’t work last year was because Pogba would often get into the same position where Sanchez likes to operate. This resulted in a lopsided attack which was easy to defend against.

But Pogba’s performance for France in their World Cup winning campaign showed us exactly what Mourinho was asking him to do. Pogba hardly left his position and when he did it, it was to score a goal or to make a key pass on the counter. He was at the heart of most of France’s attack. Pogba now has a greater understanding of his role and knows he can dictate and influence games from deep.

Sanchez-Lukaku on the break

A disciplined and dynamic midfield with either Matić or recent signing Fred alongside Pogba will allow Sanchez and Lukaku wreak havoc on the break. Both Sanchez and Lukaku can run the channels. With Pogba’s ability to pass between the lines no defence in the world could stop the raw pace and strength the partnership has to offer.

One particular example of this would be the F.A. Cup fixture against Huddersfield. A well organized Huddersfield defence was caught on the break and the ball was quickly moved to Sanchez. He took a touch and quickly released Lukaku who was on the run and it was 1-0. Easy! Another benefit of playing Sanchez behind Lukaku is that he can find those little pockets of spaces in a tightly knit defence.

A quick one-two with either the wide players or Lukaku can prove highly effective to break down defences, a task United have not risen up to recently.

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