WE’LL STOP LUK

®

PAUL CLEMENT has backed his defenders to do a number on Romelu Lukaku again.

Lukaku scored 25 Premier League goals last season for Everton to earn himself a £75m summer move to Manchester United. But he failed to find the net home or away for the Toffees against the Swans last term. And boss Clement hopes Federico Fernandez and Alfie Mawson keep him quiet again when United visit the Liberty Stadium today. “Lukaku’s one of the best in the world. He was a big focus for us in the build-up to the game against Everton at the end of last season,” said Clement. “We limited him to very few chances. He only had a couple of good ones and he put one of them in the side-netting.

Powerful

“Alfie and Federico did really well against him and I’d like to see that again.” Lukaku scored twice last weekend as United kicked off the season in style with a 4-0 win against West Ham. “United will be contenders for the title,” said Clement. “Their signings of Lukaku and Nemanja Matic were powerful and they look so strong, particularly in the midfield and front positions. “They may not have the flair of some of the other more fluid teams, but they are very functional and it will be a hard game for us.” Clement is set to give £11m summer signing Roque Mesa his competitive debut in midfield at the expense of injured club captain Leon Britton. Swansea have lost just one of their last eight games at the Liberty Stadium. Clement added: “Our record against them is quite encouraging.”