Romelu Lukaku has enjoyed a fairly encouraging start to his Manchester United career following his £75 million move from Everton earlier this month.

His first appearance, against LA Galaxy, didn’t exactly go to plan. The Belgian striker missed a couple of great chances to open his account for his new employers after coming on as a second-half substitute.

However, he made amends against Real Salt Lake two days later, scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory for the Red Devils. Three days after that, he netted the opening goal against Manchester City.

Lukaku also played the second half against Real Madrid at the weekend but failed to make a significant impact.

That won’t overly concern Jose Mourinho, though, you suspect. Pre-season friendlies are, of course, less about individual performances and more about building fitness ahead of what promises to be another gruelling season.

Lukaku has his critics

Eyebrows were raised when United agreed to fork out an eye-watering £75 million on Lukaku, making him the sixth most expensive footballer of all time.

Although the 24-year-old has proven himself at Premier League level, there are football fans who perceive the Belgium international as a flat-track bully, capable of performing against the so-called ‘smaller’ teams but flattering to deceive against top opposition.

Others critical of United’s decision to spend such a large fee on Lukaku claim the powerful centre-forward lacks the required technical qualities - particularly his first touch - to lead the line at one of the world’s biggest football clubs.

Stan Collymore believes Lukaku will shine at United

However, one man who believes Lukaku can flourish at Old Trafford is the former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore.

He describes Lukaku as his “favourite player”, per the Mirror, and believes the striker can become a truly top level player by adding some ’spite’ to his game.

Collymore reveals when he first tweeted Lukaku

It also turns out that Collymore has exchanged DM’s [direct messages[ with Lukaku over Twitter.

"We've been chatting for a number of years now," Collymore said on the Mirror Football podcast, "since he was a youngster."

"The first time I ever DM'd him [sent him a direct message] was after the 2013 Super Cup final, when he missed a penalty. He got absolute pelters from everyone - I think he got hung out to dry.”

Collymore's Twitter exchange with Lukaku after United move

Collymore went on to reveal the Twitter exchange he had with Lukaku following the Belgian’s big-money move to United.

The radio broadcaster added: ”He's always followed me and said nice things, so [after he joined United], I sent him a DM saying, 'Congratulations, big guy. Enjoy the step up to a huge club. Be aggressive, be greedy and be ruthless. It's all there for you now.'

"He sent me a lovely message back, saying, 'Thank you. I'll give everything I've got every day and work as hard as I can. I've been waiting for this my whole life. Thank you for the message.'

"So he's ready. He just needs to do it now."

Collymore and Lukaku are Twitter mates then, eh. It’s a strange old world.