Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen believes Romelu Lukaku will be a big success with Manchester United.
The Spurs defender watched the new United strike star deliver a reminder of why Jose Mourinho splashed out £75 million to land the former Everton attacker as he scored a brilliant opening goal against Manchester City in Houston.
“It's going to be a special" says Vertonghen “I can call Romelu a friend. He's a good guy, we've got a very good relationship and above all he is a good player.
“I think he suits MUFC - obviously they're strong defensively. You saw his goal yesterday against Man City and that's his way - balls in behind.
“He's the guy that makes you think 'this is going to be some game' if you keep that high line and keep letting in balls in behind. You knows there's going to be 1v1 situation there!
“When the manager came in 2014 that's the first thing he said. He wants us to press a lot higher - to help the strikers, help the midfielders and help ourselves in the end.
“First of all you believe him that that is the right way to play, and he knows how to create exercises to play in that way. He works a lot with videos as well.
“We work a lot -- 80% of the time -- on that high-line because it's so important to our game. We started again this pre-season. It can always be better, sometimes it just doesn't connect but It's so important to the way we play.
“In the beginning, we struggled a bit because you think 'there's not so much pace at the back and what if they put in a ball behind'. You play against strikers like Lukaku who have a lot of pace.
“But he convinced us and we got used to it. If you see our record last year and how many goals we conceded with balls over our head, we haven't been vulnerable.
“So it was the right way and we started believing him. You need to be very fit to do it -- that's what we're working on here. In the end, it really helps the strikers and midfielders because there is so much space.
“I think the strikers are very happy that we play that way now.
Asked to compare Tottenham hit man Harry Kane with Lukaku, Vertonghen, speaking to ESPN, said: “I can't! They've both got their qualities.
“Lukaku's goal was the perfect example yesterday - pace in behind, strong and a clinical finish. Harry is one of the leaders at balls into his feet, work hard, left, right foot."
