One of the labels that has been attributed to Romelu Lukaku is that of “flat track bully” – great against the lesser lights, not so effective against the big boys. It is a view encouraged by the fact that only 15 of the 85 goals the Belgium striker has scored in the Premier League, for West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea and Everton, have come against top six sides. Of the 25 goals Lukaku scored for Everton last term, 21 came against teams outside the top six and 15 against sides who finished in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Now consider that Manchester United had 115 shots in five games at home to Stoke, Burnley, Hull, Bournemouth and West Brom last season and drew every one, managing just two goals in the process, and ask if there is not a place for a perceived “flat track bully”? Lukaku, for what it’s worth, scored eight goals against those sides last time out and no one needs to remind Jose Mourinho that had United won, not drawn, those matches they dominated, they would have finished third. The United manager reminded us enough times of that last season.