Manchester United’s new striker Romelu Lukaku revealed he wants to model himself after Cristiano Ronaldo’s performances at Old Trafford, but remains humble about his abilities.
Lukaku talked about what his ambition is at United. The Belgian striker seems to be well aware of the fact that expectations for him are extremely high at the moment. And while the player is also conscious of his qualities, he tries to remain humble.
Lukaku scored on his first two games for Manchester United adding a sense of excitement about his arrival at Old Trafford. Lukaku says that his aim is to replicate the success that Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed at the team, but says he is still slightly far from being at his very best.
“I’m far from that level. But it’s the level I want to aim for. I’m 24, I can’t say I’m the complete package. I can’t say I’m in my prime,” Lukaku tells reporters. “There is a lot of work to be done and I’m delighted that there is still work to be done. That means I can become even better than I am.”
Lukaku believes that if he is to achieve important things in his career, he has to maintain this attitude and continue to have the same work ethic. “That’s the state of mind I have – I always want to be better. There is always room to improve. I just want to become the best player I can be. I’ll never say it’s good enough. It’s a pressure I put on myself. When you play for United you have to perform every week.”
When arriving in the Premier League, the Belgian striker’s style was compared to that of Didier Drogba, one of Chelsea’s most successful forwards. However, Lukaku says that the roles the two play in their teams are completely different.
“I’m different. Drogba is more of a hold-up player, a target man. I prefer to have ball to feet and run in behind. We’re totally different. We might have physical similarities but we’re totally different players. I’m Romelu Lukaku, I want to create my own history. I’m at United, he was at Chelsea.”
As for Manchester United’s objectives for the near future, the goalscorer runner-up of last season says he is well aware that the team is expected by everyone to win and earn victories. “The manager has a masterplan and we are following his plan,” Lukaku says.
“For me it’s all about winning. I want to win. Now I’m at a club where winning is the most important thing. It’s something inside of me. I want to help my team-mates deliver wins game in game out. That’s what I came here for [trophies]. Manchester United, for me, equals trophies. The biggest club in the world equals trophies.”
