- Romelu Lukaku was unveiled as a Manchester United player on Monday following a £75million transfer
- Lukaku will wear the No 9 shirt at Old Trafford, which was worn by Zlatan Ibrahimovic last campaign
- United trained for the first time on their pre-season tour of the United States at the Drake Stadium
- The Red Devils take on MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy on July 16 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California
Romelu Lukaku has taken part in Manchester United training for the first time as the £75million man worked up a sweat in the Los Angeles sunshine.
Lukaku was unveiled as a United player on Monday as he became the world’s most expensive striker following his move from Everton.
And it was straight to work for the Belgian, as he linked up with his new team-mates for a session in sunny California just an hour after completing his transfer.
Lukaku holds off a challenge from Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera as Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba watch on
Lukaku was pictured wearing a red sleeveless United training top as he was put through his paces on Monday afternoon at the Drake Stadium.
The 24-year-old performed a series of stretches alongside his new Old Trafford team-mates before taking part in some passing drills.
Lukaku was seen fending off Marcus Rashford, who is set to provide him with competition for a spot in United’s starting XI next season, as he controlled the ball during particular one drill.
And he was pictured standing with Paul Pogba, who he had been holidaying with out in Los Angeles before sealing his United move.
The friends shared a joke during the session – Pogba will no doubt play a key role in helping United’s newest signing settle into the squad.
The former Everton striker stretches his left foot as he attempts to reach a pass during one particular training drill
Lukaku controls the ball under close attendance from fellow United striker Marcus Rashford during one particular drill
The club’s other summer signing Victor Lindelof was also in action as a United player for the first time following his £30.7million move from Benfica.
The Swedish defender joined in with the squad wearing a grey shirt underneath a red vest despite the soaring 30C temperatures in Los Angeles.
Other key members of United’s team were also present, with goalkeeper David De Gea, midfielder Ander Herrera and defender Antonio Valencia, in the thick of the action.
Jose Mourinho was taking charge of his newest recruits for the first time and the Portuguese boss appeared focused as he dished out instructions.
The United manager named a 27-man squad for the club’s tour of America, with Lukaku joining as the 28th member following his move from Everton.
The traveling party included some lesser-known names too with Mourinho selecting youngsters Axel Tuanzebe, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira, as well as goalkeeper Joel Pereira.
Joel Pereira is likely to be United’s third-choice stopper next season behind De Gea and Sergio Romero – Sam Johnstone did not travel with the squad and he is instead expected to join Championship side Aston Villa on loan.
Pogba and Lukaku share a joke during a more light-hearted moment at the Drake Stadium on the UCLA campus
Lukaku signed a five-year contract with United which will see him earn wages in the region of £200,000 a week
Mourinho is readying his team for a busy schedule of fixtures during the pre-season tour and they have just six days to prepare for their first match – against MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
They take on another MLS side, Real Salt Lake, in Utah two days later before glamorous matches against rivals Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona to finish off the tour.
United then return to Europe for a clash with Norwegian side Valerenga in Oslo on July 30 which precedes a game against Serie A outfit Sampdoria on August 2 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Mourinho will be hoping the matches ensure that new signings Lukaku and Lindelof are fully bedded into the squad before the start of the season – with a UEFA Super Cup clash against Real on August 8 preceding their opening Premier League fixture at home to West Ham on August 12.
Victor Lindelof was also training for the first time as a United player since joining from Benfica in a £30.7million transfer
Youngster Axel Tuanzebe advances with the ball as Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini attempts to dispossess him
Mourinho addresses his United squad – the Red Devils will face Los Angeles Galaxy in Carson, California on July 16
Lukaku had stayed with the team on Sunday night at their Beverly Hills hotel and traveled with them to the training session on Monday morning, signing autographs and posing for pictures for supporters.
United were taking part in the first training session of their pre-season tour of America since arriving in Los Angeles – they spent last summer on a tour of China.
The Red Devils used the facilities at University College of Los Angeles, which is their first base during their pre-season tour of the United States.
Pogba holds off 19-year-old striker Rashford as United’s players worked up a sweat at the first training session of the tour
Lukaku revealed that Pogba had played a significant role in his move from Goodison Park, adding that seeing the Frenchman’s own transfer to United from Juventus last summer influenced his decision.
‘He is one of my best friends and he is my neighbour as well,’ Lukaku told MUTV.
‘We are always together on a daily basis so he would explain to me how things were going. Last season when he signed for United, to have witnessed that, it really triggered something in my brain and I knew that if one day I had the chance to sign then I would not say no.
United’s Spain international goalkeeper David De Gea smiles as he rolls out a ball on the UCLA training campus
‘You just know and realise how big the club is, and the hunger it has to win trophies. I would like to say, at the end of my career, that I played for a team that has always challenged for trophies and this is what the club has always done.’
Another familiar face at United is his Belgium international team-mate Marouane Fellaini and Lukaku said the two have been in regular contact ahead of his arrival.
‘He spoke to me two days ago and he sent me a message saying “Now you will discover how big and how great the club is”‘, Lukaku said in his first interview with his new club.
‘I said to him “I have already realised it a little!” To have a guy who plays with me in the national team and one of my best friends in life in my team is great to get to know the players.’
Lukaku signed a five-year contract with United worth in the region of £200,000 a week, he has the option of extending the deal for an additional sixth year.
United’s Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho gives instructions to his squad as Pogba watches on in the background
The forward has chosen to wear No 9 for the Red Devils and revealed that he asked permission from former occupant Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was released by United at the end of the season, before assuming the shirt.
Lukaku had expected to wear No 10 at Old Trafford, the same number he wore at Everton which has just been taken up by the Toffee’s newest signing Wayne Rooney.
United boss Mourinho had earlier taken some time out of his pre-season preparations to exchange shirts with Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green.
Mourinho was pictured holding up a Warriors jersey with Green No 23 on the back while the NBA All-Star posed with a replica United shirt emblazoned with his name and number.
Mourinho stands alongside Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green after the pair exchanged United and NBA jerseys
