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LUK RAN OUT

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku hobbles off injured against Arsenal – but Jose Mourinho says he should be fine for FA Cup final

With less than five minutes played in the second half, United were forced to sub Lukaku off for Marcus Rashford

Romelu Lukaku fell to the turf clutching his ankle with less than five minutes played in the second half against Arsenal

ROMELU LUKAKU hobbled off injured against Arsenal - but Jose Mourinho thinks the striker will be fine for the FA Cup final.

With less than five minutes gone in the second half, the striker was replaced with Marcus Rashford.

 Romelu Lukaku fell to the turf clutching his ankle with less than five minutes played in the second half
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Romelu Lukaku fell to the turf clutching his ankle with less than five minutes played in the second halfCredit: REUTERS
 It was clear Romelu Lukaku would not be able to continue in the game against Arsenal
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It was clear Romelu Lukaku would not be able to continue in the game against ArsenalCredit: Getty
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Lukaku had gone down clutching his ankle after being clattered into by Arsenal's Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos.

It was immediately apparent he wouldn't be able to continue, and while a stretcher wasn't called for, he hobbled off the pitch.

But Mourinho reckons the striker could be back in tile for the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 19, as well as their final three Premier League games against Brighton, West Ham and Watford.

The Portuguese said: "I don't think it's something, or I hope it's not, that in this moment keeps him immediately out of a game that is in three weeks' time. But I don't know.

 Romelu Lukaku struggled to his feet after looking as though he had picked up a serious ankle injury
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Romelu Lukaku struggled to his feet after looking as though he had picked up a serious ankle injuryCredit: REUTERS
 The burly Belgian striker was then helped of the pitch as he was replaced by Marcus Rashford
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The burly Belgian striker was then helped of the pitch as he was replaced by Marcus RashfordCredit: REUTERS

"He wants to play all the time. He is never tired and, when he has small things, he doesn't care.

"He still wants to go. So, for him to say immediately, to change him, it is because he couldn't play."

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Lukaku had been well shackled in the opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford, with the man who went on to accidentally injure him, Mavropanos, being one stand out player.

And the sight of Lukaku grimacing as he made his way to the sidelines will be a big worry to his country too.

The 24-year-old is set to spearhead the Belgium attack in Russia this summer for their exciting breed of talent.

And obviously Jose Mourinho would be relying on him to torment his old club Chelsea in the FA Cup final in a matter of weeks.

Lukaku has scored 26 goals in all competitions for United this season, his form so good that Mourinho even allowed the legendary Zlatan Ibrahimovic to leave in January.

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