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Cape Town - Jose Mourinho said that Romelu Lukaku is struggling for form and confidence after seeing his Manchester United side lose 1-0 to Juventus.
The Premier League club were second best for much of the Champions League tie where a Paulo Dybala goal settled the tie.
Lukaku has now not scored for eight games, but he had a tough task to get the better of Juve defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Even Mourinho had praise for the Italian defenders while admitting that Lukaku needs to raise his game.
After the game, the United boss told the press: "No criticism at all, a complete understanding the player is a fantastic pro that wants to give everything.
"But I have to agree his moment is not sweet, not just with the goals he is not scoring but in his confidence, movement, touch, he is not linking the game well with the team - but he's our striker and he's a good striker and a striker we believe in.
"Could I play (Marcus) Rashford there? But then I don't have a winger because in this moment we are in this difficult situation.
"He (Lukaku) is a hard-working guy, is a good professional, but one day the goal will arrive and the confidence will be back."
Lukaku last scored for United in a 2-1 win over Watford but netted a brace for Belgium in a 2-1 win over Switzerland two weeks ago.
