Is this Everton striker Romelu Lukaku's reaction to hearing Roberto Martinez is the new Belgium manger?
Romelu Lukaku sparked rumours of discontent at Roberto Martinez being appointed the new Belgium manager, after being caught mouthing expletives soon after the news broke.
Television cameras captured the Everton striker unamused at something during the second half of his side's 0-0 draw against Manchester United for Wayne Rooney's testimonial on Wednesday night.
Whilst the evidence is inconclusive, Lukaku was clearly angered after being passed on information by a team-mate as he took his place on the substitutes' bench.
Romelu Lukaku puts his head in his hands during Everton's draw with Manchester United
Lukaku can afford a wry smile as he prepares to put on his jumper after being substituted
The 23-year-old appeared to mouth: 'Really? Is this a p***-take?' to someone on the bench
Lukaku has been a man in the spotlight this summer with the Everton striker being heavily linked with a return to Chelsea, but the Belgian became the talk of social media for an altogether different reason.
The 23-year-old played for 66 minutes in the stalemate at Old Trafford, and pictures on BT Sport appeared to catch the £75million-rated forward reacting to the news that his former manager will manage his country's national side.
Belgium announced that Martinez had replaced Marc Wilmots at 9.06pm on Wednesday night just as the second-half was kicking off with Lukaku still on the field, but after being replaced by Arouna Kone, the striker appeared to be told of the news upon taking his seat in the stands.
He can be seen reacting to something, with the former Chelsea man putting his head in his hands and appearing to say, 'Really? Is this a p***-take?' before covering his mouth.
Lukaku could not resist a word with Jose Mourinho about something amusing on the pitch
The Everton striker played 66 minutes of his side's 0-0 draw against United at Old Trafford
.@RomeluLukaku9 telling his Belgian team-mate Mirallas the news about Roberto Martinez!? #RooneyTestimonialpic.twitter.com/tFNZKZD8U0— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 3, 2016
Lukaku reaction to Martinez being appointed Belgium Manager is priceless 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/gIQMPUlQRl— HARDEYMORLAH™ (@Iam_donadex) August 3, 2016
Social media reacted swiftly to add fuel to suggestions Lukaku was indeed mocking Martinez, alerting the attention of BT Sport producers, and he did little to quash the video evidence when he was seen at the full-time whistle sharing a joke with compatriot Kevin Mirallas in the tunnel.
Mirallas can be forgiven for feeling equally mortified at the prospect of coming face to face with his former manager for his country after finding himself out of the side in preference of Kone last season.
The 28-year-old winger missed out on a place in Belgium's Euro 2016 squad in France and found first team opportunities increasingly hard to come by on Merseyside under Martinez.
He and Lukaku are likely to be reacquainted with Martinez when the Red Devils join up in late August for the friendly against Spain ahead of the first 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.
Lukaku enjoyed personal success under Martinez but the team as a whole have suffered
The former Chelsea striker hit it off with the Spaniard when he first arrived at Goodison Park
Winger Mirallas is likely to be more concerned about his international future after the news
Despite his relationship with the Spaniard starting well with the striker helping Everton finish fifth in the Premier League during his loan season at Goodison Park, the £28million signing's apparent reaction to the news would suggest things soured over the course of two disappointing bottom-half finishes.
Lukaku and Mirallas will not be the only players facing an anxious wait between now and the first international week of the new season.
Marouane Fellaini was sold by Martinez to Manchester United when he took over from David Moyes in July 2015, and he will be another player uncertain over his future for both club and country heading into the new campaign.
Television cameras captured the Everton striker unamused at something during the second half of his side's 0-0 draw against Manchester United for Wayne Rooney's testimonial on Wednesday night.
Whilst the evidence is inconclusive, Lukaku was clearly angered after being passed on information by a team-mate as he took his place on the substitutes' bench.
Romelu Lukaku puts his head in his hands during Everton's draw with Manchester United
Lukaku can afford a wry smile as he prepares to put on his jumper after being substituted
The 23-year-old appeared to mouth: 'Really? Is this a p***-take?' to someone on the bench
Lukaku has been a man in the spotlight this summer with the Everton striker being heavily linked with a return to Chelsea, but the Belgian became the talk of social media for an altogether different reason.
The 23-year-old played for 66 minutes in the stalemate at Old Trafford, and pictures on BT Sport appeared to catch the £75million-rated forward reacting to the news that his former manager will manage his country's national side.
Belgium announced that Martinez had replaced Marc Wilmots at 9.06pm on Wednesday night just as the second-half was kicking off with Lukaku still on the field, but after being replaced by Arouna Kone, the striker appeared to be told of the news upon taking his seat in the stands.
He can be seen reacting to something, with the former Chelsea man putting his head in his hands and appearing to say, 'Really? Is this a p***-take?' before covering his mouth.
Lukaku could not resist a word with Jose Mourinho about something amusing on the pitch
The Everton striker played 66 minutes of his side's 0-0 draw against United at Old Trafford
.@RomeluLukaku9 telling his Belgian team-mate Mirallas the news about Roberto Martinez!? #RooneyTestimonialpic.twitter.com/tFNZKZD8U0— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 3, 2016
Lukaku reaction to Martinez being appointed Belgium Manager is priceless 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/gIQMPUlQRl— HARDEYMORLAH™ (@Iam_donadex) August 3, 2016
Social media reacted swiftly to add fuel to suggestions Lukaku was indeed mocking Martinez, alerting the attention of BT Sport producers, and he did little to quash the video evidence when he was seen at the full-time whistle sharing a joke with compatriot Kevin Mirallas in the tunnel.
Mirallas can be forgiven for feeling equally mortified at the prospect of coming face to face with his former manager for his country after finding himself out of the side in preference of Kone last season.
The 28-year-old winger missed out on a place in Belgium's Euro 2016 squad in France and found first team opportunities increasingly hard to come by on Merseyside under Martinez.
He and Lukaku are likely to be reacquainted with Martinez when the Red Devils join up in late August for the friendly against Spain ahead of the first 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.
Lukaku enjoyed personal success under Martinez but the team as a whole have suffered
The former Chelsea striker hit it off with the Spaniard when he first arrived at Goodison Park
Winger Mirallas is likely to be more concerned about his international future after the news
Despite his relationship with the Spaniard starting well with the striker helping Everton finish fifth in the Premier League during his loan season at Goodison Park, the £28million signing's apparent reaction to the news would suggest things soured over the course of two disappointing bottom-half finishes.
Lukaku and Mirallas will not be the only players facing an anxious wait between now and the first international week of the new season.
Marouane Fellaini was sold by Martinez to Manchester United when he took over from David Moyes in July 2015, and he will be another player uncertain over his future for both club and country heading into the new campaign.
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