CALL HIM ROO-MELU
Lukaku has got his feet on the ground.. but he’s got what it takes to be an Old Trafford legend like Wayne says Lingard
ROMELU LUKAKU has been tipped to fill the void left at Manchester United by the departure of record scorer Wayne Rooney.
Rooney – who grabbed 253 goals for the Reds – will be back at Old Trafford on Sunday for the first time since he rejoined Everton in July.
Lukaku, who went the other way in the summer in a £75million deal taking him from Goodison Park, has hit the ground running with six goals in as many games to make an explosive start to his United career.
And Jesse Lingard, who saw at first-hand Rooney’s impact as he came through the ranks as a youngster, believes Lukaku is the ideal man to succeed him.
“We saw last year what Rom’s capable of, with what he did for Everton,” said Lingard.
“He scored a lot of goals for them and now he’s carrying on his form here.
“He holds the ball up well, but also runs in behind defences, which gives the guy on the ball another option. He’s very strong in the box and very good with his head.
“Rom’s a very nice lad, has his feet on the ground and doesn’t let anything faze him.
“And as long as he keeps scoring the goals, he’s going to make the headlines.”
Lingard paid tribute to Rooney’s contribution during his 13 years at United and revealed the influence the striker had on his own career.
“I think the biggest thing was his experience in games,” said the 24-year-old. “When you’re winning 1-0 it’s always hard to manage a game.
“But he knew what to do in those times, especially towards the end of games, so you learn every day from legends like that.
“Wayne will get a very good reception. He’s always going to be recognised as a legend at the club and we will always welcome him back and respect him.
“Obviously he was at Everton as a young boy and felt it was the right decision to go back.
“You could say he has unfinished business there, but Romelu’s come in and we’re focused on playing with him now.”
Paul Pogba is set to be sidelined for four weeks with the hamstring injury that forced him out of United’s Champions League return.
Pogba had a scan yesterday and it is understood the £89m midfielder is facing up to a month on the sidelines. He suffered the injury when he stretched for the ball in the 17th minute of United’s 3-0 Group A win over Basel on Tuesday, forcing him out of the game. He left Old Trafford on crutches and will now undergo extensive treatment.