LUK WHO’S OFF MARK WITH ROUT
Romelu gets United off the mark in Old Trafford debut as Jose stays cool
JOSE MOURINHO hailed two-goal hero Romelu Lukaku after Manchester United marched to the top of the Premier League.
Lukaku, a £75million summer signing from Everton, marked his Premier League debut for United with two goals in an emphatic win.
Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba completed the rout but Mourinho said he wasn’t getting carried away, despite the dazzling victory.
He said: “Romelu scored in the Super Cup, scored twice today, he’s playing well and he’s working hard.
“He likes the team and the team likes him. Strikers can play phenomenally well but if they don’t score the pressure’s on them.
“So it was good for him to score and for all the guys arriving at new clubs who score goals on their first games. It’s always oxygen, it’s happiness and confidence for them.
“Romelu knows me well. He knows sometimes strikers can play well but not score but from me there will be no pressure. But today was very good and he was very effective, with the first goal especially.”
Despite United’s flying start, Mourinho pointed out they also won their first game of the last campaign but still ended up 24 points behind champions Chelsea.
He said: “Last season we were also top after the first match and finished sixth, so this means nothing. I want to be clear that we just played well and confidence is high. The challenge is to keep those levels.
“We can be a better team than last season. Fans have reason to be optimistic, because we are, but with years and years of experience in the Premier League my feet are on the ground. I’m calm.”
Lukaku said: “To play in front of such a crowd and for such a great club it’s a dream come true.
“It’s promising but it’s just the start. We need to keep working.”
Lukaku set United on the way to a convincing victory with the opening goal after 33 minutes and headed a second early in the second half.
The home side spurned several chances before Martial slotted home a third three minutes from time and Paul Pogba thumped home from the edge of the box right on the whistle.
Hammers boss Slaven Bilic said: “I expected more. I have to admit they were much better in every aspect. Better in the air, on the floor and in 50-50 challenges.
“If you’re not close to players like Lukaku you can’t expect anything better than what we got.”