Jump directly to the content
Analysis
Luk who's scoring

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku scores a double on his Old Trafford debut against West Ham

Lukaku off the mark in the Premier League with the opening goal against the Hammers at Old Trafford and starts to justify the huge fee shelled out buy Jose Mourinho in a 4-0 win

MANCHESTER UNITED hitman Romelu Lukaku bagged his first Premier League goal for his new club in the opening game of the new campaign at Old Trafford.

After a quiet start, United and thier new £75million man came to life as the Belgian announced himself to the home fans with stunning finish after 33 minutes.

 I'm the man - Romelu Lukaku scores on Premier League debut for Manchester United
8
I'm the man - Romelu Lukaku scores on Premier League debut for Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP or licensors
 Lukaku coolly finishes past Joe Hart at Old Trafford
8
Lukaku coolly finishes past Joe Hart at Old TraffordCredit: AFP or licensors

Nenamja Matic, also making his United league bow, won the ball and fed Marcus Rashord who broke clear to send Lukaku through to crisply finish past on-loan Hammers keeper Joe Hart.

Lukaku, who scored against Manchester City on tour and Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup will have been relieved to open his account this early, without it hanging over him with each goalless game.

But he struggled to get into the game early on - a throwback to last season as the home side were far too slow moving the ball against a compact Hammers defence.

It was classic Lukaku - running into open spaces and latching on to service behind the opposing defence.

This was part of the remit - scoring goals against stubborn teams who park the bus when they rock up to Old Trafford, with the draw at home to the Hammers last year a case in point.

Thierry Henry's comments on Sky were interesting - the Frenchman claimed the striker who he works with at international level was too quiet and was not making enough runs to demand the ball from his new team-mates.

Lukaku got his second on 53 minutes with a simple header from a Henrikh Mkhitaryan free kick as United kicked into full flow as the Londoners struggled to contain them.

 Romelu Lukaku got his second from a free kick
8
Romelu Lukaku got his second from a free kickCredit: Reuters
 Jose Mourinho delighted with his new number nine
8
Jose Mourinho delighted with his new number nineCredit: Reuters
 Lukaku celebrates his second goal against West Ham
8
Lukaku celebrates his second goal against West HamCredit: PA:Press Association
 Old Trafford have a new number nine and a new hero in Romelu Lukaku
8
Old Trafford have a new number nine and a new hero in Romelu LukakuCredit: Reuters

Jose Mourinho's side threatened to run riot and the striker could have got his third on the hour.

Rashford turned on the after-burners again on 61 minutes, he found Lukaku but his shot was blocked by Pablo Zabaleta.

It was a good day all round for the home side - Mourinho will be happy with the win and the performances of Pogba and Matic who has added steel to the United ranks.

 Sub Anthony Martial got the third Man United goal
8
Sub Anthony Martial got the third Man United goalCredit: Reuters
 Paul Pogba finished it off with the fourth
8
Paul Pogba finished it off with the fourthCredit: Reuters

But it was more goals Mourinho has demanded this season and with his Everton back catalogue, Lukaku will be disappointed not to beat the 26 league goals he hit last term for the Toffees.

And with the possible return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic within months, Mourinho's attacking options look even more mouth watering.

 

 

Topics