Manchester United news: Romelu Lukaku defends Jose Mourinho and reveals what life is really like under the manager

Mourinho has come under intense criticism this summer after a turbulent pre-season

Romelu Lukaku has made an impassioned defence of beleaguered manager Jose Mourinho ahead of the start of the new season.

Mourinho has come under intense criticism this summer after a turbulent pre-season.

Results on the pitch have been poor, while he has fallen out with forward Anthony Martial and taken aim at the club’s youngsters, who he does not believe are up to scratch.

But Lukaku has insisted his manager should be afforded some slack.

People need to understand that we play this game not to lose it. We play this game to win," the striker told Business Insider.

"When you lose, you get angry. When he is upset, he's the type of person that you can really see it.

"But that should be embraced because he is a manger and a coach that wants to win.

"If you can't deal with that, don't ask him questions because he shouldn't hide his personality to give a good public image.”

Lukaku has also said that Mourinho is a very different man on the training field and around the club to the one fans get to see in press conferences and terse interviews.

"It is nice to play for him. I get to see a total different image of him where he's really cool," Lukaku added.

Lukaku has said he loves playing for Mourinho (Getty)

"We make jokes. He sends me good advice, or funny videos, some stuff like that. So he's really a family guy. That's how I know him.”

Lukaku is now back in training with Manchester United after Belgium’s long World Cup campaign and will hope to make the bench for their opening match of the season, against Leicester.