Former Liverpool midfielder-turned-pundit Jamie Redknapp believes that Jose Mourinho will seek to groom Romelu Lukaku into the mould of ex-Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
The Belgium international begun his Premier League career at Stamford Bridge before he spent four seasons with Merseyside club Everton.
Lukaku’s time with the Toffees was always shrouded with doubts over his future with the former Anderlecht graduate admitting his ambition of playing in the Champions League. Both Chelsea and United were interested in his services earlier this summer, but the 24-year-old opted to move to Old Trafford where he would be reunited with Jose Mourinho.
Speaking to The Mail, Redknapp admits that United will play with a direct approach this summer given the height among the players in the squad. He added that the Special One will look to make Lukaku his new Didier Drogba, although he struggles to make an impression with the elite clubs, he said:
“With this battering ram up front, United will be very direct this year. Jose Mourinho will be looking to Lukaku to be his Didier Drogba. There are times when the Belgian plays like a raging bull — but has appeared timid and disinterested at times. Now he must ditch his reputation as a flat-track bully and terrorise every centre back in the League. Lukaku is good friends with Paul Pogba and if they replicate that relationship on the pitch, they can be magnificent.”
However, Lukaku took a different view to the comparison earlier last month where he insisted that he likes to play more with the ball at his feet rather than Drogba’s role of being the target man. Lukaku opened his goalscoring account in the 2-1 European Super Cup loss to Real Madrid, but he should have guided his side to extra time at least after he missed an open chance from six yards out.