Romelu Lukaku’s 15th goal of the season and Jesse Lingard’s deflected effort sealed a 2-1 win at The Hawthorns.

They were made to sweat after Gareth Barry’s second-half strike but held on, and once again they sit 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Albion at least scored their first goal under Alan Pardew but remain second bottom, now two points from safety after extending their winless league run to 16 games.

They lived dangerously during United’s bright start with former Hawthorns loanee Lukaku, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford lively but the visitors failed to find an early breakthrough.

But for all their possession United never worried Ben Foster and the Baggies remained comfortable as they sat deep.

There seemed little immediate threat but Lukaku, who scored a hat-trick for Albion against Manchester United in 2013, ended the monotony when he opened the scoring after 27 minutes.

Again it was pedestrian build-up but this time it had an end product as Rashford dug out a cross on the left for Lukaku to out-jump Kieran Gibbs and power in a header from 10 yards.

And it sparked a second as United doubled their lead eight minutes later.

Lukaku and Mata linked up to find Lingard and the England international’s shot from 18 yards was deflected over the helpless Foster by Ahmed Hegazi’s outstretched leg.

With that it was an uphill battle for Albion as they searched for a first win since August.

Jake Livermore at least forced David De Gea into a low save but, as an attacking force, the Baggies were anonymous.

The second half followed the same pattern until Rashford and Hegazi clashed, with the Egyptian defender appearing to push his head into Rashford’s.

Only the United striker was booked for the altercation but he did almost add a third goal after 56 minutes, arrowing a snapshot a yard wide.

It was a rare effort during a drab second half and Rondon summed up Albion’s efforts when he miscued an effort straight at De Gea with 17 minutes left.

But Albion did pull a goal back after 77 minutes when United failed to deal with Chris Brunt’s corner and Barry stabbed in from close range.

It was poor defending from United, who had earlier lost Antonio Valencia to injury, but they held on despite Albion’s late rally.

De Gea and Barry clashed after Barry caught the goalkeeper and Jay Rodriguez headed wide as Albion failed to find a leveller.

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Source: TalkSport

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The striker was at the heart of Belgium’s opener when his shot forced a save, allowing Eden Hazard to tap in.

An Andres Guardado penalty saw the scores level at half-time but Lukaku nudged in a cross to restore the lead.

A fine touch and low finish by Hirving Lozano restored parity and he then volleyed Mexico ahead before Lukaku converted his 30th Belgium goal.

The close-range finish ended the scoring on 70 minutes and saw Manchester United forward Lukaku join Bernard Voorhoof and Paul van Himst in sharing the record.

Voorhoof set his mark between 1928 and 1940, while Van Himst reached the mark between 1960 and 1974. At just 24, Lukaku looks set to take the record to new heights and he could set his own standard in Tuesday’s friendly with Japan in Brussels.

Belgium, coached by former Everton boss Roberto Martinez, are now unbeaten in 14 matches and will feature at the World Cup in Russia having eased through qualifying.

Mexico will also be at the tournament and continue their preparations against Poland in Gdansk on Monday.

They bettered possession with 58% against Belgium and 22-year-old PSV Eindhoven striker Lozano caught the eye, leaving Thibaut Courtois motionless with his first strike before lashing an instinctive volley in for his seventh goal at international level.

Neymar and Jesus on target for Brazil

Neymar scored and missed a penalty before a thunderous strike from Real Madrid’s Marcelo and a simple finish by Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus gave Brazil a 3-0 lead against Japan by half-time in their friendly at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, home of French side Lille.

Brazil conceded a late consolation but have now lost just once in 16 matches as they get set to face England at Wembley Tuesday.

European champions Portugal cruised to a 3-0 win over Saudi Arabia to continue their own World Cup preparations in Viseu. A fine low strike from Joao Mario added to goals from Manuel Fernandes and Concalo Guedes, with Cristiano Ronaldo left out of the squad.

Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic found the net as Serbia secured a 2-0 win over China in Guangzhou in their first fixture since sacking Slavoljub Muslin despite qualifying for the World Cup.

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Source: BBC Sport

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Jose Mourinho’s team were a constant threat against a poor Hammers side, offering excitement and encouragement to their supporters on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

Lukaku, a £75m summer signing from Everton, put the Red Devils ahead with a rising drive off the post after racing onto Marcus Rashford’s pass.

The Belgium international doubled the lead after half-time, glancing in a header from Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s inswinging free-kick.

United teenager Rashford curled against the inside of Joe Hart’s left-hand post before substitute Anthony Martial ended the match as a contest with a slick finish.

There was still time for a fourth, however, as Paul Pogba curled in from distance.

The Hammers offered little going forward in a passive performance, although new signing Marko Arnautovic did flick a header onto the top of the home crossbar at 2-0.

The Red Devils have now lost only one of their 14 opening-day Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford, while West Ham’s season began with a record 11th defeat.

Stylish United set out their stall

Manchester United might have won the Europa League and League Cup in Mourinho’s debut season at Old Trafford, but Red Devils supporters will be expecting, if not demanding, a serious title challenge after a less-than-adequate sixth-placed finish last term.

Mourinho spent almost £150m on Everton striker Lukaku, Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic and Benfica defender Victor Lindelof this summer in a bid to achieve it.

Although Mourinho’s new-look side were outclassed by Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Super Cup defeat, solace could be taken that the European champions contained a level of quality unlikely to be seen in the Premier League this season – and certainly not from their opening opponents.

In contrast to a workmanlike performance against Madrid, the home side played with verve and purpose as the Hammers sat back in a bid to contain and frustrate them.

It was a tactic that opponents used to successfully stifle Mourinho’s side on several occasions at Old Trafford last season, but once Lukaku broke the deadlock the Hammers never looked like clawing their way back into the game.

Style is equally as important as substance for many United fans and their attacking approach – which saw them rack up 22 shots – will provide encouragement to supporters hoping for a first Premier League title since 2013.
United’s striking future outshines its past

The opening weekend provided a tale of two strikers at Old Trafford: one a familiar face looking to haunt some old friends, the other a new arrival seeking to make an instant impression.

New Hammers signing Javier Hernandez received a warm welcome on his first return to the club where he made his name, but saw his appearance overshadowed by the latest man charged with firing the Red Devils to success.

Lukaku, who opened his account in Tuesday’s defeat by Madrid, impressed throughout with his strong running, physical presence and link-up play.

But his two goals were what really caught the eye.

In truth, it seemed almost inevitable that the Belgian would find the net against the Hammers, having scored in nine of his 10 games against them while at Everton.

The 24-year-old eased any growing twitchiness – as United dominated the opening half an hour without testing Joe Hart – by smashing in the opener, then gave them valuable breathing space with a predatory header.

He had a chance to complete his hat-trick too, only to see Pablo Zabalata block his goalbound shot with a sliding tackle and then blaze a rising effort over.

“When you play for Manchester United, you have a job to do and mine is to score goals. It is promising,” said the former Everton and Chelsea striker.

Limp display dampens Hammers’ pre-season optimism

Optimism has been high at West Ham after a productive summer for manager Slaven Bilic – but some of that may have disappeared after they were easily brushed aside at Old Trafford.

Bilic said afterwards it was hard to find any positives, but one poor performance on the opening weekend does not mean the Hammers should necessarily panic, especially as several key players – including Manuel Lanzini, Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio – were missing through injury.

The Hammers’ transfer policy over the summer has been clear: experienced internationals who have proven Premier League quality.

That arrived in the shape of Manchester City title-winning duo Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta, Stoke attacking midfielder Marko Arnautovic and former Manchester United striker Hernandez.

Right-back Zabaleta probably came out with the most credit after a typically industrious display.

But questions may be asked over the ease with which England keeper Hart allowed Pogba’s strike to creep in, while Hernandez barely had a sniff of a chance against his former club.

The Hammers only had one serious chance in a limp first-half performance – Edimilson Fernandes’s fierce shot parried by David De Gea in the final kick before half-time – before Arnautovic’s half-chance after the break.

Man of the match – Nemanja Matic (Manchester United)

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Source: BBC

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The 24-year-old has joined United from Everton on a five-year contract for an initial £75m, with the deal believed to include £15m in add-ons.

Striker Lukaku said he and Pogba, who moved to Old Trafford from Juventus last year, are “always together”.

Speaking to MUTV, the Belgium international added that he had “the hunger to win trophies”.

Pogba, who has referred to himself as ‘Agent P’, last week posted pictures on social media of him and Lukaku together.

Lukaku said: “He is one of my best friends, and he is my neighbour as well. We are always together on a daily basis so he would explain to me how things were going.

“When he signed for United, to have witnessed that, it really triggered something in my brain and I knew that if one day I had the chance to sign then I would not say no.”

Lukaku scored 25 Premier League goals for Everton last season, but in March said he did not “want to stay at the same level”.

Speaking on Monday, he said: “You just know and realise how big the club is, and the hunger it has to win trophies.

“I would like to say, at the end of my career, that I played for a team that has always challenged for trophies and this is what the club has always done.

To be here now is a blessing and I will not take this opportunity for granted.”

United boss Jose Mourinho was manager of Chelsea when they sold Lukaku to Everton for £28m in July 2014.

The striker spent the 2013-14 season on loan at Goodison before signing a five-year deal that summer.

Chelsea matched United’s offer to sign him from Everton, but Lukaku has been reunited with Mourinho.

“I am really looking forward to it, that is the most exciting part,” he said. “We have a really good relationship and I always dreamed to play under him since I was 10.

“To have the opportunity at 24 to work under him and to be part of his plans for challenges for trophies is exciting.

“I think he is a manager to help us to win trophies and I can’t wait to start working under him again.”

Lukaku has linked up with United on their pre-season tour of the United States, and trained with his new team-mates on Monday.

His move to the Red Devils means he will play alongside midfielder Marouane Fellaini for club and country.

Lukaku said: “He spoke to me two days ago and sent me a message saying: ‘Now you will discover how big and how great the club is.’ I said to him: ‘I have already realised it a little!’

“To have a guy who plays with me in the national team and one of my best friends in life in my team is great to get to know the players.”

Lukaku in stats

• With two goals against Hull City in March, Lukaku became the first Everton player since Gary Lineker in 1985-86 to score 20 league goals in a season.
• Lukaku is also only the fourth player to score more than 80 goals in the Premier League before turning 24 (after Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Rooney).
• He has scored more goals than any other Everton player in Premier League history (68).
• Lukaku is one of only three players to have scored more than 10 goals in each of the past five Premier League seasons (alongside Olivier Giroud and Sergio Aguero).

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Source: BBC

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Lukaku has signed a five-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months, after completing a medical in Los Angeles over the weekend.

Sky sources say the fee could eventually rise to £90m, and United held off late competition from Chelsea for the Belgium striker’s signature.

Lukaku will join up with his new team-mates in Los Angeles ahead of their pre-season schedule in the United States.

Jose Mourinho, who managed the 24-year-old at Chelsea, told the United website: “Romelu is a natural fit for Manchester United. He is a big personality and a big player. It is only natural that he wants to develop his career at the biggest club.

“He will be a great addition to the group and I know they will make him very welcome. I am really looking forward to working with him again.”

Lukaku said: “I would like to start by thanking Everton and the fans for the last four wonderful seasons, I have made some special friends and we have shared some amazing moments.

“However, when Manchester United and Jose Mourinho come knocking at the door it is an opportunity of a lifetime and one that I could not turn down.

“You could see the fight, determination and the spirit in this team during the Europa League final and I want to become a part of that.

“I cannot wait to run out at Old Trafford in front of 75,000 fans but before that pre-season is where the hard work starts and I am looking forward to that first training session.”

Confirmation of the Lukaku deal came hours after Wayne Rooney’s first press conference back at Everton

Confirmation of Lukaku’s transfer came hours after Wayne Rooney faced the press for the first time since moving in the other direction.

Ronald Koeman sat alongside Rooney at the press conference and said Lukaku had made “the right decision”, adding: “Lets’ hope everything goes well for him because I like him. I like the player.”

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Source: Sky Sports

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The 24-year-old striker is set to sign for United for an initial £75m, despite former club Chelsea matching the bid.

“It’s a club that is hungry to win the league again, to be dominant in the world again,” Lukaku told ESPN, who say they spoke to him after his medical.

“It’s the sort of opportunity I’ve always wanted since a child.”

Lukaku is in the United States and was arrested in Los Angeles last week following a noise complaint. He is due to appear in court on 2 October.

The transfer for him, initially reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, is believed to include £15m in add-ons.

Chelsea tried to re-sign the Belgium international but were not willing to match the fees Lukaku’s agent, Mino Raiola, would earn if the forward moved to Old Trafford.

United said on Saturday they were “delighted” to agree a deal.

“When they came calling I didn’t have to think twice, so I’m really delighted to be part of history,” said Lukaku.

“Who would say no to the biggest club in the world? The best stadium in England, the best fans. I mean, it’s the perfect opportunity.

“I always said I wanted to play for a team that’s challenging for every trophy that there is there. I think Manchester United at the minute wants to be the dominant team, the dominant force.

“Now it’s time to work hard, work harder than I ever did before and I’m willing to do it.”

United manager Jose Mourinho was manager of Chelsea when they sold Lukaku to Everton for £28m in July 2014.

The Belgian scored 25 Premier League goals last season, and United have been chasing him for most of the summer.

They are keen to conclude a deal before they depart for a pre-season tour to the United States on Sunday.

Mourinho & Lukaku – the story so far

Mourinho on Lukaku expressing surprise he was released by Chelsea to join Everton on loan in 2013:

“Romelu likes to speak. He’s a young boy who likes to speak. But the only thing he didn’t say is why he went to Everton on loan. That’s the only thing he never says. And my last contact with him was to tell him exactly that – ‘why do you never say why you are not here?'”

Lukaku on Mourinho in December 2015:

“Everyone says it is Mourinho’s fault but it is not his fault because I made the decision [to leave Chelsea]. I went to his office to ask if I could go.

“I signed the deal with Everton at 11 o’clock and the first text message I got on my old BlackBerry was from Mourinho saying: ‘Good luck, do your best and I will see you next season.’

Mourinho on selling Lukaku to Everton:

“Romelu was always very clear with us with his mentality and his approach was not highly motivated to come to a competitive situation with Chelsea.

“He wanted to play for Chelsea but he clearly wanted to be first-choice striker – but for a club of our dimension it is very difficult to promise to a player.”

Lukaku in stats

• With two goals against Hull City in March, Lukaku became the first Everton player since Gary Lineker in 1985-86 to score 20 league goals in a season.
• Lukaku is also only the fourth player to score more than 80 goals in the Premier League before turning 24 (after Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Rooney).
• He has scored more goals than any other Everton player in Premier League history (68).
• Lukaku is one of only three players to have scored more than 10 goals in each of the past five Premier League seasons (alongside Olivier Giroud and Sergio Aguero).

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Source: BBC Sport

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The 24-year-old Belgium international scored 25 Premier League goals last season.

United, who have been chasing Lukaku for most of the summer, will not now be pursuing their interest in Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata.

The move for Lukaku is not connected to talks aimed at taking United forward Wayne Rooney to Everton.

Jose Mourinho’s side are hopeful of concluding a deal in time for Lukaku to join the squad before they depart for a pre-season tour to the United States on Sunday.

The striker was on a list of forward options Mourinho gave to executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward before the end of last season.

It had been thought Lukaku would return to his former club Chelsea, who he joined from Anderlecht in 2011.

The striker was sold to Everton for £28m by Mourinho during the Portuguese manager’s second spell in charge of Chelsea in 2014.

Lukaku is a client of agent Mino Raiola, who also looks after Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan – three players all signed by United last summer.

The Belgian turned down the most lucrative contract offer in Everton’s history in March and later said: “I don’t want to stay at the same level. I want to improve and I know where I want to do that.”

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Source: BBC

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