Romelu Lukaku has proved he is not just a flat-track bully... now it's time for the Manchester United striker to step up against old club Everton

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'Flat-track bully' was the stick with which to beat Romelu Lukaku as he officially signed for Manchester United from a luxury Californian villa alongside Paul Pogba.

He didn't do enough in the big games, apparently. Failed to make an impact when it mattered; an initial £75million purely for the bulldozing of smaller teams.

If it were actually true, that is exactly what United craved. Too many times they were held to draws against sides they should have beaten, particularly at home.

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring for Manchester United against Basle at Old Trafford

The striker has made an excellent start to life at United since his summer move from Everton

But the criticism was misplaced. He scored more goals from open play against the 'big six' than Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa and Harry Kane last season.

That was at Everton, whom he faces for the first time on Sunday afternoon, and another reason why Jose Mourinho told Ed Woodward to sort out that transfer over Alvaro Morata.

Since then he has proven goals will continue at a steady rate, with six in his first half a dozen games. The one at Stoke will probably please Lukaku most, given the difficulties he endured there last Saturday, although it will be tinged with disappointment at an uncharacteristic late miss.

Lukaku had previously been branded a 'flat-track bully' but his record disproves that

This weekend, he will come up against his former team when United take on Everton

As was explained on Twitter this week, Ibrahimovic had five at this point and, going back further, Robin van Persie scored four and Wayne Rooney three.

Not a bad start to life at Old Trafford and it will be intriguing to see what sort of test Everton pose after their capitulation away at Atalanta on Thursday night.

Opportunities should be had with Michael Keane looking particularly out of sorts but on paper this is United's toughest test of the campaign so far.

'We saw last year what he is capable of and what he did for Everton,' Jesse Lingard said. 'He scored a lot of goals for them and now he is carrying on his form here which is great for us.

'He holds the ball up well but he also runs in behind defences, which gives the guy on the ball another option. He's very strong in the box he is very good with his head so he gives a lot of options for the man on the ball.

Lukaku has already won over the United fans, who have made up a song about him

'Rom's a very nice lad, he's got his feet on the ground, he doesn't let anything faze him. And as long as he keeps scoring the goals he is going to make the headlines.'

You would not bet against another when he faces Ronald Koeman's Everton, who were powerless to stop Lukaku leaving Goodison Park in July.

United supporters have certainly taken to him already. A small group in one corner of Old Trafford gave a new song an airing during the victory over Basle on Tuesday to the tune of Made of Stone by The Stone Roses. Unfortunately, the content is not entirely appropriate for this website!

Regardless, there is affection for a 24-year-old who has taken on the burden of responsibility given Ibrahimovic's absence through injury.

There are times he has flitted in and out of games - Stoke a prime example - but he spearheads the attack and has no qualms running the channels in a way United have not seen for some time. The evidence suggests he should continue bullying defenders, and not just when it suits.