Jose Mourinho jokes Romelu Lukaku's scoring drought at Manchester United is down to his boots

Lukaku provided a brilliant assist for Anthony Martial for his side’s third in the win at Watford, but squandered two chances of his own

Jose Mourinho has watched Romelu Lukaku struggle for goals of late (Getty)

Jose Mourinho joked that Romelu Lukaku needs a big new boot deal to get him scoring again, after the Belgian hit another blank in what was an otherwise good display in Manchester United’s 4-2 win away to Watford.

Lukaku provided a brilliant assist for Anthony Martial for his side’s third, but squandered two chances of his own, as he played in blacked-out boots due to his deal with his previous sponsors running out.

Mourinho picked up on that when asked about the striker’s dip in scoring form to make light of it, as he generally praised Lukaku’s contribution.

“He needs a big contract with boots,” the United boss said. “At this moment he doesn't have a contract with any brand. That is why he is playing with the black boots. He needs a brand to give him the right boots and to pay the right money, so he goes back to goals.

“Jokes apart, he works amazingly well for the team. I would never blame a player like him for that easy chance he missed. Never. With me he knows that he doesn't have that pressure. He is an amazing player and an amazing professional. Great ambition, great colleague. I couldn't be happy with him.

“He finished the deal. Now he is waiting for the right offer and is playing in black boots.”

It was put to Mourinho whether he could get a New Balance deal after the news emerged that Marouane Fellaini is taking legal action against the company, to which the United boss chuckled.