Jose Mourinho defends decision to not let Romelu Lukaku take Manchester United penalty against Benfica
The Belgian striker initially took the ball but after some confusion, Daley Blind took the kick
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Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho defended his decision to prevent Romelu Lukaku from taking Manchester United's second penalty of Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat of Benfica, despite the Belgian having now gone six games without a goal for the club.
Lukaku took the ball after substitute Marcus Rashford was brought down by Andreas Samaris during the closing stages of the Champions League Group A encounter but Mourinho overruled his striker, with Daley Blind eventually scoring the kick.
Earlier the same night, Anthony Martial had won and missed a penalty for United, with the Frenchman’s effort saved by young goalkeeper Mile Svilar.
“I don't understand why everyone asks me the same,” Mourinho said after he was asked why he did not allow Lukaku to take the kick, a day after describing the striker as an "untouchable" member of his squad.
“I'm paid to take decisions good or bad. In the first half, the decision was bad because the player I chose to take the penalty missed. In the second half I made another decision.
The United manager added: “The penalty taker for this match was Martial. Romelu wants to take, has the personality to take responsibility, Herrera the same, but my decision based on training in the last couple of days was Daley.
“The players respect my decision and that's it. My decision.”
Mourinho also refused to explain why he appeared to make a 'talking' gesture with his hand after Blind converted the 78th minute penalty and claimed he did not remember celebrating in that manner.
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