Watch Romelu Lukaku score his first Manchester derby goal with a sublime finish

Let’s ignore the fact that there is something not quite right about a Manchester derby happening in pre-season, and talk about Romelu Lukaku, who is having an excellent start to his United career.

We know pre-season doesn’t count and can often mean nothing, but the big Belgian is clearly gelling with his new teammates and hasn’t taken any time at all to find his form.

He’s scored in both of United’s first two friendlies, against Real Salt Lake, and then last night against rivals City in Houston – Lukaku opened the scoring for his new club in a 2-0 victory, and he did so in pretty sublime fashion.

The £75 million man latched onto a raking long ball from Paul Pogba (United fans will be delighted to see those two combining) and rounded new City keeper Ederson with a deft header, before finishing superbly from a tight angle, and running over to the celebrating United fans.

The second goal came from Marcus Rashford, and he and Lukaku impressed up front together. Perhaps they will be able to do enough in pre-season together to convince Mourinho to revert to Manchester United’s favoured 4-4-2 formation – one which is rarely seen in the Premier League these days.

Both sides used the game to test out new signings. Lindelof played the first half at the back for United, while goalkeeper Ederson and Kyle Walker both made their Manchester City debuts, with Walker looking assured at right back.

After scoring his first against Real Salt Lake earlier in the week, Lukaku promised United fans a lot of goals, and he is delivering so far in pre-season. Now he just needs to make sure to do it when it counts.

"I’m here to score goals and be the focal point of the team. At Manchester United, we play to win and that’s the mentality when I get on the pitch and everything comes with it.

"From the first day, when we had the meeting with the manager in Los Angeles, you just felt that something special was happening. But it’s down to us now; we need to work hard every day and deliver in the pre-season games to be ready for the new season,” he said after that game.

"I know a lot of the lads from before, a lot of them are my neighbours! I didn’t take a lot of time to settle in, I just want to be one of characters in the team to help the team win.

"I’ve been waiting for this opportunity, like I said. Now, I am here and it’s time to work hard and, hopefully, deliver."

(Images: Rex)