Romelu Lukaku may have started his Manchester United career off in prolific fashion, with four goals in his opening four games for the Red Devils, but even for one of the Premier League's most reliable hitmen, the challenge that has been laid down for the Belgian by an Old Trafford legend will be hard to live up to.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals during five seasons at Old Trafford, between 2001 and 2006, has backed the former Everton striker to break the goal scoring records he set during his time in the North West.
The Dutchman, who returned to Old Trafford yesterday and scored during a legends charity game against Barcelona, was asked about United's new number nine during a post-match interview and van Nistelrooy was full of praise for the 24-year-old, who already has 88 Premier League goals to his name from 189 appearances.
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Lukaku has hit the ground running at Old Trafford, scoring four goals in his first four games for United. Image: PA
When asked by Full Time Devils if Lukaku could conquer his records at Old Trafford, including his one time Premier League record of scoring in 10 consecutive matches (which was eventually broken by Jamie Vardy, after 12 years), van Nistelrooy said, "Absolutely. Yeah. I had my time. I tried to make the most of my time as a player, but [my] time's gone, behind me.
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"I've done what I could and now I hope that other players will go on and do better.
Van Nistelrooy became a legend at Old Trafford during his five seasons as a United player, helping the club lift every major domestic trophy. Images: PA
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"I was following Jamie Vardy's run of consecutive games - it was fantastic. You have to applaud players who break records - even if they're your own. It's great to see that."
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Van Nistelrooy arrived at Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 for a then British transfer record of £19 million (a fee which was then smashed by Juan Sebastian Veron's arrival at the club for £28 million) and helped Sir Alex Ferguson's team lift the 2003 Premier League title as well as the 2004 FA Cup and 2006 League Cup. He would depart for Real Madrid in 2006 in a £10 million deal, having scored 150 goals in just 219 games, cementing his legacy as one of the Premier League's greatest ever strikers.
(H/T The Mirror)
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, Manchester United, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Romelu Lukaku
