Manchester United

Romelu Lukaku: 'I am different to Zlatan Ibrahimovic'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 09 July 2017

Romelu Lukaku vows to 'fill up the striker position in his own way' at Manchester United as he prepares to join the Red Devils from Everton.

Romelu Lukaku has vowed to 'fill up the striker position in his own way' at Manchester United.

Neither Everton nor Man United have confirmed the transfer of the 24-year-old, but Lukaku has already spoken to the media about joining the Red Devils in this summer's transfer window.

Lukaku is expected to directly replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the Man United XI, and the Belgian international has insisted that while the 36-year-old "did a wonderful job for the club", he will make his own stamp at Old Trafford.

"He did a wonderful job for the club," Lukaku told ESPN. "He was the main guy at Manchester United, and he's a guy I really look up to and who I learn from a lot because we share the same agent.

"Here and there he sends a bit of advice to me, and it helps me improve. But I'm Romelu Lukaku - I'm not Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I will fill up the striker position in my way, but I know I have to work really hard and deliver more than I've done before.

"The team is the most important thing at Manchester United. The team has to win trophies, and everybody has to do their best to make sure the club gets back the trophies that they always have."

Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals in 46 appearances for United during the 2016-17 campaign, but he missed the final stages of the season after picking up a serious knee injury, which required surgery.

The Red Devils have opted against renewing the striker's contract for a further 12 months, although the Swede will continue his rehabilitation with the English outfit ahead of a return at the start of 2018.

It has been suggested that Man United boss Jose Mourinho could hand Ibrahimovic a short-term contract if the 35-year-old proves his fitness in the latter stages of 2017.