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Romelu Lukaku Aiming To Emulate Cristiano Ronaldo At Man Utd

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Romelu Lukaku wants to match Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact at Manchester United as the Belgian eyes silverware under Jose Mourinho.

Romelu Lukaku slotted home from a tight angle to give United the lead

Lukaku snubbed a return to Chelsea and joined the Red Devils this summer for a transfer fee of £75million.

The Belgian striker has proved his mettle in the last few seasons – scoring 25 Premier League goals for Everton last season and a total of 53 after parting ways with Chelsea in 2014.

The former Blues striker has already scored twice for Man Utd on the pre-season tour of the United States – his first against Real Salt Lake and then the opener in their 2-0 win over arch rivals Man City in the International Champions Cup.

However, the 24-year-old striker insisted that he has to step up as he eyes to match the level of four-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted more than 100 goals as he won three Premier League titles and the Champions League trophy during his illustrious 6-season stint at Man Utd.

Lukaku said: “I’m far from that level. But it’s the level I want to aim for. I’m 24, I can’t say I’m the complete package. I can’t say I’m in my prime.”

“There is a lot of work to be done and I’m delighted that there is still work to be done. That means I can become even better than I am.”

Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku were on fire in Houston

“That’s the state of mind I have — I always want to be better. There is always room to improve. I just want to become the best player I can be.”

“I’ll never say it’s good enough. It’s a pressure I put on myself. When you play for United you have to perform every week.”

Commenting on comparisons with former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, Lukaku said: “I’m different.”

“Drogba is more of a hold-up player, a target man. I prefer to have ball to feet and run in behind. We’re totally different.”

Romelu Lukaku celebrates after giving Manchester United the lead in Houston

“We might have physical similarities but we’re totally different players. I’m Romelu Lukaku, I want to create my own history. I’m at United, he was at Chelsea.”

“The manager has a masterplan and we are following his plan.

Man Utd have managed to clinch three trophies last season – Communtiy Shield, EFL Cup and the Europa League, but they have failed to clinch the Premier League after Sir Alex’s departure and Lukaku added: “The manager has a masterplan and we are following his plan.”

“For me it’s all about winning. I want to win. Now I’m at a club where winning is the most important thing. It’s something inside of me. I want to help my team-mates deliver wins game in game out.”

“That’s what I came here for [trophies]. Manchester United, for me, equals trophies. The biggest club in the world equals trophies.”

“Growing up, I’ve seen United win the league every year, almost! You want to be a part of that history. It’s drilled into your head when you do training sessions with the players, you don’t want to be on the losing side.”

Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba during training

“That is something that I wanted to feel. I wanted to feel that pressure, I wanted to feel that hunger — to be here now. I’m grateful to be part of the biggest club in the world, but there is a lot of work to be done, and I know that I need to work much harder than I have until now.”

“I want to do it because, at the end of the day, I want the club to reach bigger heights, I want the players to win a lot of trophies and I want to create history with the club.”

Anirban Das
Anirban Das's journey to Delhi via Kolkata involves football, music, curiosity (which one day can kill the cat) and food. Following global football opens up an infinite space within him in both the conscious and subconscious self, away from the din and bustle of the madding crowd. Supports Manchester United & Barcelona

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