Lukaku can join Roo in hall of fame
JESSE LINGARD says Romelu Lukaku could become as “big an icon” at Manchester United as Wayne Rooney.
Lukaku goes head to head with Rooney on Sunday for the first time since the two swapped clubs.
Rooney won every major honour in his 13 years at United and became their record goalscorer.
But Lingard feels 24-year-old Lukaku can have a similar impact after a blistering start to the season with 10 goals in eight games for club and country – six for United and four for Belgium.
“I’m not surprised how quickly he has settled because we saw what he did for Everton,” said Lingard.
“He scored a lot of goals for them and he’s carrying on his form here, which is great.
“He holds the ball up well but he also runs in behind defences, he’s very strong in the box and he’s very good with his head, so he gives a lot of options for the man on the ball.
“The potential is there for him to become as big an icon here as Wazza. Rom’s a very nice lad, he’s got his feet on the ground, he doesn’t let anything faze him. And as long as keeps scoring he’s going to make the headlines and impress people along the way.”
Lingard, who was an 11-year-old in the academy when Rooney joined in 2004, is sure Wayne will receive a warm welcome from United fans on Sunday.
“He’ll get a very good reception,” he said. “He’s always going to be recognised as a legend at the club.
“Obviously he was at Everton as a boy and he felt it was the right decision to go back. He has unfinished business.”
Marcus Rashford says his battle with Anthony Martial for a place alongside Lukaku is bringing the best out of both of them. Rashford has started three of United’s six competitive games and Martial two, while both were substitutes for the Super Cup clash with Real Madrid.
Both have scored twice after coming off the bench – Rashford scoring United’s third in their 3-0 Champions League win over Basle on Tuesday.
The England striker said: “The competition is always positive because we’re improving each other every day. We’re pushing each other. It’s a bit of a headache for the manager but it’s a good one to have.”
Rashford admitted losing Paul Pogba with a hamstring injury for what could be weeks was a setback but that United had the quality to fill the void.
“Paul’s going to be a massive miss but that’s why you have such a strong squad,” he said.
Marouane Fellaini, who scored and set up a goal against Basle after coming on for Pogba, is set for talks over a new deal. His contract runs out next summer.