Manchester United legend Mark Hughes claims ‘real deal’ Romelu Lukaku is a £75m bargain.

Hughes reckons Lukaku could become an Old Trafford legend.

And the Stoke manager, whose team will try to halt Lukaku on Saturday, believes he could even threaten Wayne Rooney’s all-time United goalscoring record.

The Belgian, 24, became the second most expensive signing ever by an English club when Jose Mourinho paid Everton £75m for him this summer.

He has netted three times in his first three Premier League games for the early leaders.

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“If he wasn’t fully established and had done well for one season, moved for big money then ended up on a stage like United, that would be difficult,” said Hughes, who scored 163 goals in two spells at United.

“But given his standing and career path now, in terms of every year being upwards of 20-25 goals, he’s less of a risk.

Jose Mourinho is bringing the best out of the Belgian (
Image:
PA)

“That’s why they spent that money on him - because he’s the real deal.

“Fees have escalated towards the end of the window, and Jose has mentioned himself that he’s probably a bargain if that’s possible!

“They would see it as an opportunity to bring someone in who can lead the line for the next 5-10 years.

“On that basis, if you spread the fee over the length of the contract - or the time he’s likely to be there - then it starts to look a fantastic deal for the club.”

Rooney, who moved in the opposite direction to Lukaku this summer, is United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals but Hughes believes Lukaku has the potential to beat that tally.

“Logically, you’d say he’ll go close if he gets a good run and steers clear of major injuries,” said Hughes, who will be without injured skipper Ryan Shawcross (back).

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