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Lukaku leaves Man Utd match on stretcher after clash of heads

Romelu Lukaku was taken off the pitch on a stretcher in the 14th minute of Manchester United's match against Southampton after a clash of heads with Wesley Hoedt.

The match was delayed for about five minutes as Lukaku received treatment, with the Belgian striker apparently administered oxygen.

When it became clear the striker would play no further part in proceedings he was carried off the pitch to applause from the stands.

Romelu Lukaku Manchester United Southampton
Romelu Lukaku Manchester United Southampton

With fellow striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic left out of the match-day squad, Marcus Rashford got the nod to replace the Belgium international in an early substitution.




Lukaku had missed a key opportunity moments before the collision, sending an unmarked header over the bar after being teed up by Juan Mata.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a natural option to replace Lukaku in Jose Mourinho's line-up, was not a part of the game-day squad.


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Lukaku has scored 15 goals in all competitions since joining the Red Devils in a £75 million move from Everton this past summer.

The injury likely rules out the 24-year-old for United's New Year's Day meeting with his former club at Goodison Park.