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Paul Ince Claims Man United Would Be ‘Mad’ To Start Lukaku

Paul Ince Claims Man United Would Be ‘Mad’ To Start Lukaku

Former Manchester United captain Paul Ince has claimed that Jose Mourinho would be ‘mad’ to start Romelu Lukaku in Sunday’s Manchester Derby

Joel Pattison

Joel Pattison

Former Manchester United captain Paul Ince has claimed that Jose Mourinho would be 'mad' to start Romelu Lukaku in Sunday's Manchester Derby even if the striker is fit.

The Red Devils have found a bit of form recently, having won their last three games in a row, however, it will take something special for United to beat the English champions.

Speaking exclusively to Paddy Power News, Ince said that the Old Trafford side looks like a different team when the Belgium striker isn't playing.

Lukaku, who has only scored four times in the league this season, is fighting for fitness ahead of Sunday's crucial clash at the Etihad having not played since United's 1-0 defeat at home to Juventus.

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"There are questions around whether Romelu Lukaku will be fit for the Manchester derby. But even if he is, Mourinho would be absolutely mad to play him," Ince told the Irish bookmaker.

"The results are plain to see. Alexis Sanchez was much improved against Juventus on Wednesday and it's no coincidence that there was no Lukaku present.

"And in general, when he hasn't played, United look like a much better team without him, rather than booting in a long ball and hoping for the best, the United players are forced to play down the sides and get men in behind.

"No Lukaku has forced United to play a different way. And I'd go as far as to say it's exciting to watch, they're playing proper football again! They're playing what I would call the United way.

"You can't deny his goal scoring record, but there are certain balls which the midfield have been attempting now he's not in the team, and there's no way they'd have done that with him there. Sanchez, Lingard, Martial and even Rashford are all looking for those types of balls.

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"It's those kinds of players which will cause Manchester City trouble on Sunday, not Lukaku."

Manchester United are a massive 7/1 with Paddy Power to beat Pep Guardiola's side, while the hosts are 1/3. A draw can be back at 4/1.

However, Ince believes that United shouldn't be ruled out of the tie, speaking to Paddy Power, he said: "Man City may have had another great win on Wednesday night - and a totally ridiculous penalty - but United are no Southampton or Shakhtar Donetsk.

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"Their win over Juventus will have had an impact on City. They'll have been expecting a loss in Turin, but Pep Guardiola will know Mourinho and his team are going into the game knowing that if they got a win there, what's to stop them at the Etihad?

"People will say there's no way United can go and win it. But, after the Juventus result, they'll be silenced. People will have different views."

Meanwhile, City might also want to keep an eye out for in-form Anthony Martial.

The winger has five goals in his last six games and Ince believes he is United's, Eden Hazard.

"No team will want to face Anthony Martial right now. He's playing like the player we all knew he was. And it's interesting to see that now Mourinho seems to have found a team and formula that works, the results are coming in," the 51-year-old told Paddy Power.

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"Martial is Man United's, Eden Hazard. He's their world class attacking player, the one that can do something special and make things happen when you most need it.

"He's only 22, and if he carries on in this form, he'll be as good, if not better than Hazard."

Paul Ince was speaking exclusively to Paddy Power News. To read more, visit news.paddypower.com

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