Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has managed Romelu Lukaku completely wrong this season, according to former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino.

The Belgian has missed three out of United's last five matches due to injury.

And Cascarino believes Lukaku should have been eased into action at the start of the season after a deep World Cup run, like Chelsea did with his Belgium teammate Eden Hazard.

"I watched Belgium play Brazil in the quarter-finals and it was clear that Romelu [Lukaku] and Eden [Hazard] were giving their absolute all," Cascarino said. "I don't think I've ever seen Hazard work so hard in a game.

"Fast-forward to the start of the season and he was eased into the Chelsea line-up by Maurizio Sarri, playing 14 minutes in their first game against Huddersfield Town and then 29 minutes against Arsenal.

"Sarri realised that Hazard needed a rest so he took him out of the firing line. The same cannot be said for Jose [Mourinho's] management of Lukaku.

"Someone has to step in and protect players when they are with their clubs, the manager or the medical team."