Lukaku must prove worthy of manager Martinez’s words against Man Utd

Since Everton bowed out of the Europa League, leading marksman Romelu Lukaku has failed to net in two subsequent outings, but that may have something to do with sustaining an injury.

Big Belgium striker Lukaku is a 15/8 anytime scorer chance with Coral against Manchester United, and impressive seasonal stats of 18 in 43 outings across all competitions has prompted manager Roberto Martinez to sing his praises.

“He is quite responsible and sometimes takes a critical view of himself,” Martinez said of Lukaku. “But I think that’s what will make him one of the best strikers in world football.”

When previously paired with the Toffees’ upcoming opponents United, Lukaku has scored three in six, though that is somewhat skewed by him hitting a hat-trick in West Bromwich Albion colours during the 5-5 thriller that was Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game in charge of the Red Devils.

Everton managed to do the double over United last term, but that was when facing former manager David Moyes. Louis van Gaal is a different proposition entirely, so a home win at Goodison Park is an outside price of 11/4.

Both these teams have experienced upturns in form following a difficult first half of the season, so a share of the spoils for each cannot be ruled out at 23/10. The Red Devils are 11/10 favourites to come away from the blue half of Merseyside with three points though, following one defeat in seven league outings.

Punters who find facing former clubs an appealing prospect will look to United captain Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini to help make the Toffees come unstuck. Lukaku’s compatriot Fellaini has two in his last five, so anytime scorer odds of 11/4 are tempting.

There’s no shying away from the fact that Red Devils talisman Rooney has struggled when returning to his old stomping ground. He has struck just four times in 17 outings since leaving Everton, but is 5/1 to break the deadlock if this poor return does not dissuade you.