Should Lukaku’s record v top 6 give Spurs hope at Manchester United?

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Tottenham face Manchester United and in-form Romelu Lukaku, but should his record against the top six intimidate them?

Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring the team’s fourth goal during the English Premier League football match against Crystal Palace.

Romelu Lukaku has hit the ground running since his summer arrival at Manchester United from Everton, scoring 11 goals in his first 14 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Still only 24-years-old, Lukaku’s scoring statistics are extremely impressive, with the striker having netted 92 in 195 Premier League matches and 156 in 331 club career games in total – as well as a further 28 in 63 caps for Belgium.

Belgium’s forward Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match against Cyprus.

Yet despite that, one major criticism that was aimed at the forward during his four years at Goodison Park was that he didn’t score against the big teams.

Well one of those big teams, defined in this case as the top six from last season, is visiting Old Trafford in the league tomorrow (October 28) for the lunchtime kickoff in Tottenham Hotspur.

Lukaku is sure to have been earmarked as one of the key dangermen for Spurs to watch out for, but is the Belgian’s reputation against the biggest sides in the country justified?

Romelu Lukaku of Manchester United and Eduardo Salvio of Benfica in action during the UEFA Champions League group A match.

Well, the stats would suggest that maybe they are. In eight league encounters against Tottenham to date, Lukaku has scored one goal. Against Chelsea it is one in six and for Arsenal it is two in 11.

Lukaku’s record of finding the back of the net against Liverpool and Manchester City is slightly better, with five in 12 and four in ten respectively, but in total against top six opposition (not including Man United of course) that is 12 in 37.

With Mauricio Pochettino’s men having only conceded six goals in nine matches so far this term – only City and United have let in fewer with four apiece – perhaps the omens are looking good for the visitors.