Ex-Manchester United star Lukaku slams Red Devils suffering from ‘mental problem’

Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku for Belgium

Ex-Manchester United star Lukaku slams Red Devils suffering from ‘mental problem’

Ayoola Kelechi 15:55 - 23.03.2025

Romelu Lukaku was furious at the team's mentality and called their recent performance unacceptable

Belgium’s disappointing 3-1 defeat to Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League qualifiers sparked a furious reaction from Romelu Lukaku, who didn’t hold back in his criticism of the team’s mentality.

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The former Manchester United striker, who scored Belgium’s only goal in the game, was furious at the collapse and compared the current squad’s mindset to that of the pre-Golden Generation era.

Lukaku questions Belgium’s mentality after second-half collapse

Lukaku’s frustration was evident as he addressed the media following Belgium’s shocking loss to Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League.

Lukaku in action for Belgium || Image credit: Imago

The team had taken the lead just before halftime thanks to the Napoli striker, but a disastrous second-half performance saw them concede three goals in under 15 minutes.

The collapse left Lukaku deeply unimpressed, and following the game, he was quoted by HLN as saying, “This is unacceptable, it’s a mental problem.”

Lukaku was disappointing at the World Cup with Belgium

The striker, Belgium’s all-time top scorer, expressed concern that the current squad lacks the resilience and winning mentality that defined the country’s so-called ‘Golden Generation,’ a group he was a key part of.

Lukaku rallies fans as Garcia faces early pressure with Belgium

With Belgium set to face Ukraine again in the return leg on Sunday, Lukaku urged fans to create an electrifying atmosphere to help the team overturn the deficit adding, “We need the supporters behind us.”

Romelu Lukaku

The loss to Ukraine also piles pressure on new Belgium boss Rudi Garcia, whose tenure as Red Devils head coach got off to the worst possible start.

Reports suggest the Belgian FA never considered him their top choice to replace Domenico Tedesco, and an early setback like this will only fuel doubts about his appointment.

Napoli head coach Rudi Garcia and star striker Victor Osimhen had an altercation last season.
Former Napoli head coach Rudi Garcia and star striker Victor Osimhen had an altercation last season. | Imago

A defeat over two legs to Ukraine would further damage Garcia’s credibility and could weaken the squad’s trust in his leadership.

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