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That’s the view of former United stars Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes, who both agree that the Belgium international should be more of a handful for defenders.

The Red Devils could only draw 0-0 with Valencia on Tuesday, meaning they are now winless in four games and are amid their worst start to a season for 29 years.

United have lost three of their first seven Premier League games and already find themselves nine points behind rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.

And while they have taken four points from their opening two Champions League matches, they have not made it easy for themselves to qualify from their group.

Lukaku has scored four goals in nine appearances so far this season but Ferdinand and Scholes believe the Belgian is ‘easy to play against’ due to the lack of runs in makes in attack.

“Lukaku is so easy to mark at the minute, he’s static,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport after the game with Valencia.

“He needs to make defenders think, he needs to start moving in behind, making your defender change position and change eyeline.”

Scholes added: “I don’t think these players realise how much of a threat they can be.

(Image: GETTY)

(Image: GETTY)

(Image: GETTY)

“Look at the size of him, how quick he is.

“As Rio said, he’s just so static, he’s easy to play against. We could have played centre-half against him tonight.

“When he’s up for it, running into channels, barging people out of the way, he can finish as well.

(Image: GETTY)

“They need to realise what their strengths are and go out on the pitch and perform.”

Lukaku has scored 20 goals in 41 Premier League games since his big-money move from Everton, and 31 in 61 in all competitions.

United welcome Newcastle to Old Trafford on Saturday as they look to salvage their crumbling season.