Romelu Lukaku is convinced Jose Mourinho’s rebuilding project will bring the glory days back to Old Trafford, writes David McDonnell in Skopje.
Lukaku , a £75million summer signing from Everton, will spearhead United’s attack in tomorrow’s UEFA Super Cup showdown against Real Madrid.
Mourinho has put his faith in Lukaku to fill the void left by 28-goal striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, released by United this summer following a serious injury.
And Lukaku, whose eventual fee could rise to £90m, believes Mourinho is the man to bring the glory days back to United, who have not been crowned champions since Sir Alex Ferguson signed off with the club’s 20th title in 2013.
“The club is in a rebuilding process and the manager is doing the right things to take the club back to where it belongs,” said Lukaku.
“That’s the exciting part. He’s a manager to help us win trophies.
“The club is there to help me, but I’m a team player and I want to win trophies. That’s the most important thing – trophies before everything.
“So if I can help my team-mates to do that, I’ll be delighted. I just want to improve constantly. I don’t want to have time to be complacent.
“I want to become better every single day and work as hard as I can. If you play for a big club, then you have to act like a big player and perform, week-in, week-out.
“Being at United, you have to challenge for every cup and title there is. That’s what I want and why I’m here to help the team perform.
“I’m not going to talk too much, I’m going to perform on the pitch and do whatever it takes to win.”
The game with Madrid will give Lukaku the chance to banish some bad memories in the Sup Cup.
The forward was a substitute for Mourinho’s Chelsea when they took on Bayern Munich four years ago.
And the Belgian missed the crucial penalty in the shootout. He left the club two days later when he was loaned to Everton.
At the time, Mourinho suggested his departure was because the player preferred to first choice rather than fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.
And Lukaku appeared to agree. He added: Lukaku agreed, admitting: “I was 20 and I wasn’t ready to be immediately effective in a top team.”
Another United player with a point to prove in the Super Cup is Juan Mata.
The Spaniard is hoping to make it third time lucky after losing on his previous two appearances in the showpiece event when he was playing for Chelsea.
“I’ve been lucky to have played in two Super Cups and unlucky to have lost two, so maybe it’ll be third time lucky,” said Mata.
“Last season was a good season, now we have an opportunity this season to lift more trophies.
“We have the chance to lift another one, which is going to be difficult against a team like Real Madrid. Our minds are now focused on that.”
Eric Bailly is suspended for the clash, with Phil Jones also facing a UEFA ban, which means Chris Smalling and £30m summer signing Victor Lindelof are likely to start in central defence against Real.