I still need to improve- Lukaku

ROMELU LUKAKU admits he will not be a true striking great until he proves himself in the Champions League.

The Manchester United hitman, 24, will lead their attack in Europe’s premier competition next season after signing from Everton this summer for an initial £75million. But, despite the big-money price tag, Belgium ace Lukaku admits he has a long way to go before he can be considered as one of the continent’s top talents.

Asked if he can one day match the likes of Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Lukaku said: “Of course — but it’s about winning trophies at the end of the day.

“I’m a goalscorer, I’ve always scored goals throughout my career.

“Now the Champions League is the next stage where I have to prove myself and the club also wants to do well.

“I’m far from that level. It’s what I want to aim for. But it’s all about the team and winning trophies.

“There is always room to improve. I just want to become the best player I can be — I’ll never say that I’m good enough. “I’m 24, I can’t say I’m the complete package. I can’t say I’m in my prime.

“There is a lot of work to be done and I’m delighted there is still work to be done. That means I can become even better than I am.

“I’m not a guy who is satisfied quickly. It’s a pressure I put on myself. When you play for United, you have to perform every week.”

Lukaku is a major piece in Jose Mourinho’s jigsaw as United bid to claim their first Premier League title since 2013.

Four successive pre-season wins over LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Manchester City and Real Madrid have increased optimism in the Old Trafford squad — with Lukaku already scoring twice. And the former Chelsea and West Brom star believes the Special One, now preparing for a clash with Barcelona in Maryland at 12.30am on Thursday morning, has a strategy to bring the glory days back to United.

Lukaku, who also played under Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, added: “I have improved a lot since then. He sees it as well.

“He is a manager who has always had a lot of belief in me. I also believe in his methods. It’s going to be good to work together again.

“It was the conversation I had with the manager that convinced me the most, his plans and how he wanted to rebuild the club — he wanted me to be part of it.

From The Sun