Man Utd News: Romelu Lukaku better for Jose Mourinho than Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Ferdinand

Lukaku joined Manchester United from Everton for an initial £75million in July.

The Belgium striker replaced Ibrahimovic, after the Swede left the club at the end of his contract.

However, Ibrahimovic re-signed for United earlier this week after proving his fitness following a serious knee injury he suffered in the Europa League last season.

The 35-year-old scored 28 goals in all competitions last term but Lukaku has filled his shoes well so far this campaign, netting four times in his first four competitive outings.

Ferdinand believes Lukaku’s pace is more beneficial to his former side than Ibrahimovic’s style of play.

“Last season Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a great player who’s scored many goals, sometimes had the opportunity to go forward, he doesn’t, he comes back,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

“As a defender, as a team coming here to Manchester United, that’s the easy option for you. 

“You can actually sit back and wait and watch and get yourself compact and in a line, wait for them to attack. 

“There’s no thought in his game at all to run behind a defender, that’s not his game. 

“He’s not quick, he gets the ball, he keeps the ball fantastically well but as a defender, as a team coming here to try and nick a point, it makes it easier. 

“This guy (Lukaku) on the other hand, pace, aggression, desire to run in behind. 

“His only thought here is to get to the other end of the pitch and to cause havoc. 

“Only one thought, go towards goal. You don’t want to play against that.”

Lukaku missed a penalty in United’s 2-0 win over Leicester today.