Jose Mourinho has warned his prolific centre-forward Romelu Lukaku that he will be required to start every game for Manchester United, at least until Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned from injury and has regained full match fitness.

Lukaku, 24, has been a revelation, for club and country, so far this season and has scored 14 goals in 11 games for United and Belgium.

But, as he prepared for an easy-looking fixture against struggling Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, the last thing on Mourinho’s mind was the possibility of resting Lukaku, who will join his national squad after the game.

Mourinho said: “Look, in here, without Zlatan we cannot rotate the striker, especially because Marcus Rashford is playing also in other positions.

“So until the moment we have Zlatan we cannot think about giving rest to our number nine, the same way we give in other positions.

“We cannot do that. Belgium is Roberto’s responsibility and it’s his decision to play him or not to play him.”

That hint to Belgian manager Roberto Martinez about possibly resting Lukaku for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus was obvious, even if Mourinho was not forcing the point.

He said: “It’s Roberto’s responsibility. I cannot, professionally speaking, say do this or do that, You know. It’s Roberto’s responsibility.”

Lukaku’s goals at the start of the month helped Belgium become the first European nation to qualify for next summer’s Finals in Russia and, given the relatively modest opposition, Mourinho could be forgiven for hoping his star forward will be left out of the forthcoming fixtures.

Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Show all 11 1 /11 Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Sergio Romero - 7 Helpless for CSKA’s goal. Prevented Alan Dzagoev from scoring a late equaliser. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Victor Lindelof - 7 Didn’t need to be as impressive as he was against Watford and Arsenal but this was another good performance. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Chris Smalling - 7 Should’ve equalised for United but put his header wide at the far post before Lukaku and Rashford spared his blushes. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Daley Blind - 6 His first outing of the season in a back three and wasn’t troubled. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Antonio Valencia - 6 A solid display by the skipper before he was substituted in the second half with Sunday’s Manchester derby in mind. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Ander Herrera - 6 An all-action display by the Spaniard but he lacks Paul Pogba’s quality, which could hinder United in Sunday’s derby. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Paul Pogba - 7 Not his best overall display in recent weeks but provided a lovely assist for Lukaku’s equaliser. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Luke Shaw - 7 Superb going forward in the first half but lost his runner in the build-up to the visitors’ opener. Struggled with his fitness towards the end of the match. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Juan Mata - 8 Capable of producing magical moments and did so numerous times tonight, most notably setting Rashford up for the game’s winning goal. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Romelu Lukaku - 7 The Belgian’s energy has improved in recent matches and he took his goal well. Manchester United vs CSKA Moscow player ratings Marcus Rashford - 8 Caused big problems for CSKA all night and ended his goal drought with a superb left-footed strike.

But, should he play in both games, there is the real prospect of Lukaku having started 14 games in two months by the time he returns to Old Trafford in a little under a fortnight - an extremely hefty workload in the modern game, at least for an attacking player.

The only game Lukaku has not started for United was the Carabao Cup tie with Burton, although he was even named to the substitutes’ bench for that.

Aside from the visit to Swansea in the next round of the League Cup, the only prospect of a break for Lukaku, therefore, will come when Ibrahimovic returns to action.

Mourinho has stubbornly refused to discuss the Swedish veteran’s rehabilitation from knee ligament surgery although even the most optimistic estimates put his potential return date in December.

Lukaku should expect to be called upon week in, week out, Mourinho has said (Getty Images)

In the meantime, Mourinho has praised Lukaku for his professionalism and his development over his years with Chelsea, West Brom and, now, United.

“I think every step in his career he got it, he grabbed it with both hands,” said Mourinho.

“Since his first loan to West Bromwich Albion, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, fighting for his evolution.

“He was very strong in his desire to be playing in a team with other objectives now, with Champions League football, it was always his dream to come to this level and since he arrived I don’t think he thinks about another thing other than in his success.

“So he works hard, he rests, he has a great professional life outside the football pitch. He has ambitions, he enjoys.