Romelu Lukaku has scored seven goals in as many Premier League matches, and is already close to surpassing those managed by Eric Cantona and Wayne Rooney in their first seasons at Old Trafford. If he continues his stunning form, he will top any figures posted by a United striker in their debut campaign.
Since making his £75 million transfer from Everton in the summer, Romelu Lukaku has averaged one goal per game in the Premier League. According to research by Grosvenor Casinos, those figures have allowed him to better the records set by Ashley Young and Juan Mata in their first seasons at the club.
The record is currently held by Robin van Persie, who scored a total 26 goals in 2012/13, at a rate of 0.68 per fixture. Fellow Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy comes in second thanks to his 23 goals in 2001/02. His 0.72 goals-per-match ratio is the best record in a full season for United in the Premier League.
Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham and Dimitar Berbatov all bagged nine goals in their debut seasons, and it would not be a shock to see them surpassed by Lukaku sooner rather than later. If the Belgian can keep up his current rate, he will also brush aside the likes of Wayne Rooney and Antony Martial, who scored 11.
Manchester United will hope Lukaku can find the back of the net in their trip to Anfield on Saturday, with the striker on course for completing the best goalscoring season for the Red Devils.