Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has offered a bizarre explanation for why Romelu Lukaku has struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks.

The Belgian international had a scintillating start to his career at Old Trafford by scoring 10 goals in his first nine appearances in all competitions.

In his last 11 outings, though, Lukaku has found the back of the net just once and has provided three assists.

The drought has caused some fans to criticise the forward, who signed from Everton in the summer transfer window.

Mourinho has consistently defended Lukaku's form in public, and after the 24-year-old drew a blank again during Tuesday night's 4-2 win over Watford, the manager offered an odd explanation.

The former Chelsea boss joked that the striker's lack of boot sponsor is the reason behind his recent form.

It appeared that Lukaku had coloured in Nike's logo on his black boots on Tuesday night as he is no longer tied to a contract with the manufacturer.

The Daily Mail quotes Mourinho as saying:

"At this moment he doesn’t have a contract with any brand. That’s why he’s playing with black boots. He finished his deal and now he is waiting for the right offer and he is playing in black boots. I think he needs a brand to give him the right boots and to pay him the right money so he goes back to goals."

https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/fftv-manutd.mp4