Mark Hughes tips Romelu Lukaku to shine at Manchester United: 'He's been scoring goals at the top level for years'
- Stoke boss Mark Hughes claims Romelu Lukaku will thrive at Manchester United
- Hughes feels Lukaku can follow in his footsteps and be a success at Old Trafford
- Belgian scored four goals in seven appearances for Everton against Stoke
- Former striker believes Everton have already budgeted for Lukaku's departure
Mark Hughes is confident Romelu Lukaku can prove a big hit at Manchester United if the Everton striker completes his move to Old Trafford.
The Stoke City manager believes the Belgium international has proven himself as a prolific Premier League goalscorer over the past few seasons, and Sportsmail understands United have agreed a £75million deal with Everton.
Chelsea were in pole position to land the striker this summer, but the Premier League champions look set to be gazumped by former manager Jose Mourinho, with reports that Lukaku could seal his move to United within the next 48 hours.
Romelu Lukaku is close to completing a £75million move from Everton to Manchester United
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes feels the Belgian striker will be a success at United
Lukaku scores against Stoke at Goodison Park in a 4-0 victory during the 2013-14 season
Hughes is in no doubt that the 24-year-old can replicate the success he experienced with the Red Devils, telling the Stoke Sentinel: 'In fairness to the boy, for a number of years, he has been scoring regular goals at the top level of British football.
'It (Man United) will be a different challenge for him. Everton are a good club - I've played at both clubs. Everton are very much a family club, United, clearly since I left, it's gone on to become even bigger on the world stage and it's a huge entity now.
'Maybe he'll find a little bit of a difference in that, but his day-to-day work will be similar and I'm sure he'll be a great success there.'
Lukaku, who scored 26 goals in all competitions for Everton last campaign, has risked the wrath of Blues supporters on his eventual return to Goodison Park by refusing to report back for pre-season training.
United captain Wayne Rooney could be heading in the opposite direction on a free transfer
United boss Jose Mourinho is close to being reunited with Lukaku after their spell at Chelsea
The Belgian has remained in Los Angeles with his friend and potential new team-mate Paul Pogba, who is believed to have played a part - along with his agent Mino Raiola - in convincing the player to choose United over Chelsea.
United's initial offer for Lukaku included Wayne Rooney as part of the deal, but the two transfers are now separate and talks over Rooney's return to Everton - and United's willingness to let him go for nothing - appear to have helped the Lukaku deal.
Should Rooney complete his move back to his boyhood club, he would join over £90million worth of new recruits at a side challenging in the Europa League next season.
Ronald Koeman's business has not gone unnoticed by Hughes, who added: 'From the outside it looks as though Everton have already been spending the money they're going to accumulate. It is a big chunk of money, you have to say.'
Lukaku is set to sign a five-year contract worth more than £200,000 a week at Old Trafford
Toffees manager Ronald Koeman is said to be furious following Lukaku's no show on Thursday
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