HELLO ROM, SO LONG ROO
LUKAKU: ‘I COULDN’T SAY NO TO THE BIGGEST CLUB IN THE WORLD WITH THE BEST FANS’
ROMELU Lukaku couldn’t say ‘No’ to United and wants to help the Reds become a superpower again.
The 24-year-old Belgian has undergone medicals in Los Angeles after the club announced they had agreed a £75m deal with Everton – plus add ons.
Personal terms are set to be signed and sealed and United will then unveil manager Jose Mourinho’s second signing of the summer.
Lukaku has already spoken in LA about the reasons he has moved to Old Trafford.
“This is an opportunity that I’ve always wanted since I was a child,” Lukaku told ESPN FC.
“When (Manchester United) came calling, I didn’t have to think twice. So I’m really delighted to hopefully be part of their history. My mind was already set. I gave my word, and I don’t look back. I didn’t look back since, and I was already mentally preparing to be part of the team.
“Who would say no to the biggest club in the world? Best stadium in England. The best fans. This is the perfect opportunity. I always said I wanted to play for a team that’s challenging for every trophy that there is.
“I think Manchester United at the minute wants to be the dominant team, that dominant force. If you look at their history, it says enough.
“To become part of a club like them is something that I really wanted. I’m thankful for the opportunity that they gave me.
“Now it’s time to work hard, work harder than I ever did before.”
ROMELU Lukaku insists he will tackle the United’s striker’s role his way – and will not be the new Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
United’s £75m signing from Everton, who has undergone a medical in Los Angeles ahead of an official announcement of his transfer, hailed the 28-goal contribution of the Swedish hitman last season.
Ibrahimovic’s cruciate knee ligament injury forced manager Jose Mourinho to drop initial interest in Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and go for a centre-forward instead.
Lukaku has spoken to ESPN FC in the US and paid tribute to the Swede.
“He did a wonderful job for the club,” Lukaku said. “He was the main guy at Manchester United, and he’s a guy I really look up to and who I learn from a lot because we share the same agent.
“Here and there he sends a bit of advice to me, and it helps me improve.
“But I’m Romelu Lukaku – I’m not Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I will fill up the striker position in my way, but I know I have to work really hard and deliver more than I’ve done before.
“The team is the most important thing at Manchester United. The team has to win trophies, and everybody has to do their best to make sure the club gets back the trophies that they always have.”
Meanwhile, Juan Mata believes Lukaku’s goals could help United in their bid to win the Premier League.
Speaking to Marca, Mata said: “We played together for Chelsea and he [Lukaku] has had a lot of good seasons at Everton.
“He knows the coach well, and scores a lot of goals which we hope he will carry on so we can try to win the league.”
Mata added he was already looking ahead to the Super Cup final against Real Madrid on August 8 – with former Real Madrid coach Mourinho also doing the same.
The Spain international explained: “I think Jose is already thinking about the final, and has been since Real won the Champions League.
“The coach wants to win the trophy whilst in charge at United and although Zinedine Zidane had an incredible year in charge, we will try to create problems for them.”
Chelsea matched United’s bid for Lukaku on Friday but it is understood Lukaku’s agent Mino Raiola advised the Belgian to join United over his former club.
Senior United sources insist Lukaku was their ‘principal target’ who they had pursued ‘for months.’