Stoke City boss Mark Hughes admits he tried to sign Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.

United go to Stoke this weekend.

Lukaku, 24, has three goals in three games already this season.

Hughes, 53, said: “He's the real deal. He's ready to go.

“I tried to get him at QPR when I was manager but he ended up going to West Brom on loan from Chelsea.

“I didn't pitch it too well! Probably because I didn't say he'd play week in week out."