Romelu Lukaku claims Jose Mourinho has improved him as a footballer — after just one week together, writes David McDonnell in Houston.
Belgium international striker Lukaku scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 2-1 win over Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake on the second game of their pre-season tour here in the USA.
And the 24-year-old, who joined from Everton in a £75million deal, said he had already added to his game since being reunited with Mourinho, who was his manager for the 2013-14 at Chelsea — but loaned him out to the Toffees for almost all of it, before selling him to them the following summer.
“He knows what I can bring to the team and he’s someone who is pushing me,” said Lukaku.
“I push myself too, but he makes me a better player.
"I think I learned a lot from him in the last week and I’m glad I can work with him. He said I had to keep doing what I’m doing. I’m happy for my goal.
“There’s still a lot of work to do, as a team we know we need to be much better.
“But I’m glad I’m here because you really see it’s a big club and that was the challenge, the move I wanted.
“I’m very happy now.
"I have to make sure I stay focused and have the same ambition I’ve always had and work hard – that’s the key to success.”