Manchester United new boy Romelu Lukaku targets further improvement against 'tough opponents' Real Madrid

  • Manchester United have returned to their Los Angeles base after win in Houston 
  • United beat rivals Manchester City and now face Real Madrid in glamour friendly
  • Striker Romelu Lukaku has scored twice in as many games during the US tour 
  • Lukaku is now targeting another good workout against 'tough opponents' Real

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has already started to show the signs of a man ready to justify his £75million price tag — but the Belgian wants to show he can produce the goods against the top sides.

United are preparing for the fourth game of their US tour against Real Madrid on Sunday, having won all three of their matches so far, against La Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and Manchester City. 

After failing to notch in his first appearance, Lukaku has found the net in both of his last two outings, and the 24-year-old is relishing the prospect of facing Madrid at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

(Left to right): Marcus Rashford, Chris Smalling, Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof and Daley Blind enjoy a light moment during pre-season training in Los Angeles, California

(Left to right): Marcus Rashford, Chris Smalling, Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof and Daley Blind enjoy a light moment during pre-season training in Los Angeles, California

The Manchester United players were all smiles with confidence high following three victories

The Manchester United players were all smiles with confidence high following three victories

Defender Jones leads the stretches ahead of the glamour friendly against Real Madrid

Defender Jones leads the stretches ahead of the glamour friendly against Real Madrid

Lingard leads another training drill in the Californian heat ahead of a stiff test on Sunday

Lingard leads another training drill in the Californian heat ahead of a stiff test on Sunday

He told the club's website: 'Like the manager says, for us it is going to be a good training session and a good workout to see how we are improving and getting his concepts. 


'They are going to be tough opponents but we are here to work hard, to get fitter and to get better as we get closer to the new season.

'I am really delighted with the work that we are putting in. We are working very hard. The manager is putting his tactical concepts to us and we are doing very well on the pitch. We want to continue like that.' 

The United squad were in fine spirits as they got back down to work at the UCLA training ground ahead of the match in the International Champions Cup against Zinedine Zidane's side. 

Romelu Lukaku is optimistic about the season with a lot of hard work going into the sessions

Romelu Lukaku is optimistic about the season with a lot of hard work going into the sessions

United winger Anthony Martial gets on the ball during the training game at UCLA

United winger Anthony Martial gets on the ball during the training game at UCLA

Jose Mourinho is preparing United to face one of his former sides at the Levi's Stadium

Jose Mourinho is preparing United to face one of his former sides at the Levi's Stadium

Victor Lindelof is getting used to being under the spotlight since his high-profile switch

Victor Lindelof is getting used to being under the spotlight since his high-profile switch

MAN UTD TOUR SCHEDULE* 

July 15: LA Galaxy, StubHub Center, Carson - WON 5-2

July 17: Real Salt Lake, Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy - WON 2-1

July 21: Man City, NRG Stadium, Houston - WON 2-0

July 23: Real Madrid, Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara - 10pm

July 27: Barcelona, FedEx Field, Landover - 12:30am

July 30: Valerenga, Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo - 6pm

August 2: Sampdoria, Aviva Stadium, Dublin - 7.45pm

*All times BST 

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The two sides face each other in the UEFA Super Cup at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, Macedonia on August 8, but first they lock horns in a friendly that is set to once more attract a big audience in the States.

Over 109,000 crammed into the Michigan Stadium to watch United take on Madrid in August 2014, the largest crowd to watch a football match in the country, and despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, another bumper attendance is expected.

Madrid play United in their first pre-season game before further glamour ties against Man City, Barcelona and the Major League Soccer All-Stars. 

United opted to sign Lukaku over former Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata, and the Belgium international is keen to demonstrate why Mourinho made the right call in choosing to reunite with him over the Spaniard. 

Paul Pogba is looking forward to facing Madrid who he sees as one of the world's best teams

Paul Pogba is looking forward to facing Madrid who he sees as one of the world's best teams

Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored in the victory over Real Salt Lake earlier in the club's US tour

Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored in the victory over Real Salt Lake earlier in the club's US tour

Marouane Fellaini and Rashford have a chat before the training session on Friday

Marouane Fellaini and Rashford have a chat before the training session on Friday

Pogba and Rashford were in relaxed mood as they were put through their paces in the drills

Pogba and Rashford were in relaxed mood as they were put through their paces in the drills

'A big club like Manchester United always want to play against the best clubs and win as well,' Lukaku continued. 'We are working really hard and we are doing our best to keep the momentum going, and that is the main goal.'

'The manager is helping us through it as well. We are really hungry and working hard to get even better. We are doing the stuff right, hopefully we are improving and we can take it into the season as well.'

Ahead of the game with Madrid, Paul Pogba added: 'The big games keep on coming. The players in the manager's next team want to play against the best. 

'We want to play against the best, we want to beat the best and we want to become the best.'