Romelu Lukaku praises "family man" manager Jose Mourinho
Hughes and Stoke welcome United to the bet365 Stadium tomorrow evening (5.30pm).
United under Jose Mourinho have started the season in spectacular fashion, winning all three of their Premier League games.
Lukaku, who was a £75million summer signing from Everton, has settled in well, grabbing three goal.
And Hughes admitted his failed attempt to sign Lukaku came when he was QPR boss.
“I tried to get him at QPR but he ended up going to West Brom on loan,” he said.
GETTY
Romelu Lukaku has been in fabulous form for Manchester United
Clearly I didn’t pitch too well – probably because I didn’t say he’d play week in, week out
Mark Hughes
“Clearly I didn’t pitch too well – probably because I didn’t say he’d play week in, week out. I learnt from that.”
Hughes also thinks Lukaku could go close to Wayne Rooney’s record of 253 goals for United.
He added: “He’s only 24 and he’s ready to go.
“If I thought he was coming from a position where he wasn’t fully established and had done well for one season, moved for big money then ended up on a stage like United, then that’s more difficult.
GETTY
Mark Hughes tried to sign Romelu Lukaku when he was at QPR
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“But given his career path, in terms of every year he is upwards of 20-25 goals, he’s less of a risk.
“That’s why they spent such a huge amount on him.
“He’s the real deal. Could he break Rooney’s record? Yes. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him – or maybe I do.
“Logically you’d say he’ll go close to it if he stays there a long time and steers clear of major injuries.”
