Alvaro Morata or Romelu Lukaku – Who Should Manchester United Look To Sign This Summer?
Manchester United are busy this summer as Jose Mourinho is looking to add some quality players to his first-team before the start of the next season. Having lost their top goalscorer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mourinho is desperate for an attacking addition this summer and two names that have constantly been linked with a move to Old Trafford are Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata.
The Belgian international has been in sublime form for Everton since his move to the club from Chelsea but has finally decided to move on to a bigger club. Morata, on the other hand, has failed to establish himself in the first team under Zinedine Zidane and is reportedly close to a move to Old Trafford. So who should Manchester United sign? Who is a better option? Let us compare their stats from last season to get an idea as to who would be a good signing for the Red Devils.
Lukaku vs Morata
Both players are 24-years-old and though Lukaku might cost slightly more because of his experience in the Premier League, there is very little to separate the duo when it comes to the numbers. Morata has played almost 15 hours of football less than the Belgian but has racked up some impressive numbers in Spain.
With 25 goals and 6 assists to his name, the Everton star has a pass completion of 66% compared to the 15 goals and 4 assists Morata has to name. However, the Spaniard has a better passing accuracy at 78%.
Morata has been productive in front of goal consistently but Lukaku was the creator in chief at Everton and averages 1.08 key passes per game, creating 1.24 chances per game. Morata, who was also impressive, created just 0.65 chances per game, picking up just 0.50 key passes per game all season. Lukaku also has a better shot accuracy of 64% compared to Morata’s 63% in Spain.
Both players are excellent dribblers of the ball but Lukaku triumphs Morata in this as well. He has a successful take-on rate of 66.67% compared to just 53.66% by Morata. Although Lukaku is strong in the air, he won just 41.16% of his aerial duels, while the Real Madrid man was more effective, winning 50% of his aerial duels.
Morata has shown a slight affinity to defending as well but Manchester United need an outright goal scorer who can walk into the first team next season. Morata’s versatility makes him a decent option but Lukaku’s experience, though more expensive, might just be what United need this summer.