Lukaku Must Improve His Anticipation

Romelu Lukaku must improve his anticipation rather than "reacting" to opportunities, says Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Lukaku has enjoyed a fine start to his Manchester United career following a move from Everton, scoring three times in his opening two Premier League games.

Alan Pardew praised Lukaku's finishing ability against Swansea but says the Belgian forward still has areas to improve, and Hasselbaink agreed on Goals on Sunday that he can get even better.

"Lukaku's strength is facing the goal, not with his back to the goal. When he faces the goal he is lethal, because he has the calmness to finish.

"What I hope he doesn't do is forget what has taken him to Man Utd, to forget what his strength is.

"Everybody is saying he needs to improve in coming into midfield, but he does not have to do that too often when you have a Pogba, a Mata, a Mkhitaryan, he needs to play to his strength.

"If you look at him when he doesn't have the ball, he does not anticipate, he reacts. And the majority of the time when he reacts, it's late, so he needs to work on his anticipation more."

United have enjoyed a pacey start to the Premier League season, beating both West Ham and Swansea 4-0 to sit top of the table.

Hasselbaink says Jose Mourinho is showing signs that he is enjoying management again, and believes the title race will be an all-Manchester affair this term.

"Jose has got his mojo back, you can see in his face he is loving it and feeling great. Will they win it? I don't know. Are they better? Yes. They are a lot better than last year and are better equipped.

"I still feel they need another striker, someone different to Lukaku, maybe an Ibrahimovic.

"I think it will be between Manchester United and Manchester City this year."

Credit: Skysports.com