Lukaku Doesn't Mean United Will Win the League

Video and transcription by Peter Benson

Manchester United won't win the league next year and that's for one reason. Where will their goals come from?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic carried the team last season, scoring 28 goals in 41 games across all competitions before tearing his ACL in April and ending his season.

United scored a pitiful 54 goals on their way to finishing sixth in the Premier League last year. Bournemouth, who finished ninth, scored 55.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is now a free agent and his replacement, Romelu Lukaku, cost United $119m this summer. For that price tag, Lukaku will be expected to perform not only in the Premier League, but in Europe as well. Whether he's able to handle the difficulties of the schedule remains to be seen.

He's proven he can score goals at the highest level. In the Premier League scoring 25 in 36 games for Everton last year. But behind him at United, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial provide inconsistency and inexperience where United need it most.

United's season may be over before it's even begun.

Links

Romelu Lukaku stats via WhoScored.com
Zlatan Ibrahimovic stats via Manchester United club website
2016/2017 Premier League Table