LUK AND LEARN
After opening his United account £75m striker says boss Jose has made him a better player in just ONE week
ROMELU LUKAKU claims Jose Mourinho has made him a better player – after just one week.
Lukaku scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on the second game of their US tour. And the forward, who joined United from Everton in a £75million deal, said he had already added to his game since being reunited with his former Chelsea boss Mourinho. “He knows what I can bring to the team and he’s someone who is pushing me,” said Lukaku.
“I push myself too, but he makes me a better player. I think I learned a lot from him in the last week and I’m glad I can work with him.
“He said I had to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m happy for my goal.
“There’s still a lot of work to do, as a team we know we need to be much better.
“But I’m glad I’m here because you really see it’s a big club and that was the challenge, the move I wanted.
“I’m very happy now. I have to make sure I stay focused and have the same ambition I’ve always had and work hard – that’s the key to success.”
The arrival of Lukaku, plus £30m defender Victor Lindelof, has convinced defender Phil Jones that United can challenge for the title for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
“You can see he’s a strong player,” said Jones. “He’s difficult for defenders to play against.
“He’s going to be a handful for a lot of players this season and we’re lucky to have him.
“He’s a terrific striker. He knows where the back of the net is and he adds something different to what we had last season.” After Ferguson quit following the club’s 20th championship triumph in 2013, United have failed to make any sort of title challenge, losing their aura of invincibility and swagger.
Jones said: “I think slowly but surely we’re getting that back. It’s taken time but we’re getting there.
“We’re definitely a lot stronger this year. We’ve recruited well, big Rom up front is a threat, a real handful