MANCHESTER UNITED star Romelu Lukaku is free to face Manchester City and Arsenal after the FA opted against banning him for a kick on Brighton defender Gaeten Bong.
Manchester United star Lukaku was captured kicking Brighton defender Bong during the clubs’ Premier League clash on Saturday.
Ashley Young scored the winner for the Red Devils to boost their chances of Premier League glory.
Lukaku’s act would have seen him banned for three games – against Watford, Manchester City and Arsenal respectively.
But the FA have opted against banning the Belgium international meaning he will now have the chance to fire United closer to the summit.
They took into consideration the report of referee Neil Swarbrick.
And, after rewatching the footage, they have decided not to penalise the United man.
The decision, however, may actually divide United fans.
Lukaku hit the goal trail by bagging scoring 11 times in his first 12 games since arriving from Everton.
But after finding the net against Newcastle last week he is expected to be given the chance to prove his worth again.
Meanwhile, United boss Jose Mourinho is happy with Lukaku – despite his waning goalscoring form.
“[I like to see] people like Romelu Lukaku playing on the right, on the left, chasing defenders, the midfield players chasing the space in the middle, so I am happy with the attitude,” he said.
“In the last minute, Lukaku was fighting and running back like he was in the first minute.
“The way Romelu wins the corner for the goal, the way he ended the game, making tackles in left-back positions, that’s the mentality I want. And unfortunately not every player is the same.
“Players are men, men are different, men are unique cases and some guys are capable of going into their limits of effort and some other guys, even with a lot of talent, they don’t manage to do that.
“So Romelu, for me, was fantastic. He didn’t score, but I don’t care.”
“[I like to see] people like Romelu Lukaku playing on the right, on the left, chasing defenders, the midfield players chasing the space in the middle, so I am happy with the attitude,” he said.
“In the last minute, Lukaku was fighting and running back like he was in the first minute.
“The way Romelu wins the corner for the goal, the way he ended the game, making tackles in left-back positions, that’s the mentality I want. And unfortunately not every player is the same.
“Players are men, men are different, men are unique cases and some guys are capable of going into their limits of effort and some other guys, even with a lot of talent, they don’t manage to do that.
“So Romelu, for me, was fantastic. He didn’t score, but I don’t care.”
Source:www.express.co.uk