Lukaku also leaps to defence of David de Gea after another error against Chelsea
Monday 29 April 2019 14:18, UK
Romelu Lukaku admits he is unsure whether he will be at Manchester United next season.
Lukaku has struggled to maintain a starting berth in the United side under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with Marcus Rashford often preferred as the focal point of the United attack.
While he improved when starting against Chelsea on Sunday, playing a big part in United's goal, Lukaku remains without a goal in his last eight appearances in all competitions, fuelling speculation he could be on his way out of the club.
Asked after United's draw with Chelsea whether he will stay at Old Trafford next season, Lukaku said: "I don't know, I am not here to entertain rumours. I am still under contract."
Lukaku also insisted he remains fully behind David de Gea despite another costly mistake from the Spanish goalkeeper that left United's hopes of a Premier League top-four finish on a knife-edge.
De Gea has been at fault for a number of goals United have conceded in recent weeks, the latest coming on Sunday as Antonio Rudiger's long-distance effort could only be parried into the path of Marcos Alonso, who stole in to cancel out Juan Mata's opener.
"I think he's a really positive person," Lukaku added. "He analyses really quickly what happens to him.
"He's been the best player at the club for seven, eight years consistently. I don't think we should discredit him and say all of a sudden he's a bad goalkeeper. He's saved us so many times this season.
"Goalkeepers always have a spell where sometimes it might go difficult. The only thing you have to do is work hard.
"I don't know how goalkeepers get through it, I'm not a goalkeeper, but he works hard every single day.
"We are here to support him as players but mentally he's really, really strong, or else he wouldn't be the best player for seven, eight years.
"There's no doubt about his ability. And he's a leader in the dressing room. Now it's up to us as a team to help and trust in his abilities."
United's hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League are now out of their hands but Lukaku remains optimistic.
"Until it's done you keep believing," Lukaku added. "It's something that's in the DNA of the club.
"We have two games where we should give our all, play good football and hope for the best."
