Saturday 24 February 2018 08:04, UK
Nemanja Matic has backed Romelu Lukaku to achieve big things for Manchester United ahead of his side's Super Sunday clash against Chelsea.
Lukaku moved to Old Trafford for £75m and made a blistering start to his United career, scoring seven goals in his first seen Premier League games.
Since then he has managed just five goals in 19 matches and has failed to score against any of the Premier League's top eight this season, however, Matic has backed the Belgium international, who heads into the game at Old Trafford on 97 Premier League goals, to succeed at United.
"Romelu is a great striker," the United midfielder told Sky Sports.
"For a young player it's not an easy situation because everyone expects you to score in every game. It is not easy to deal with that expectation but as he's shown already he's doing well.
"Mentally he's strong and I'm sure he will continue to score goals.
"He's still young and can improve more and I'm sure he will do big things for Manchester United."
Another player setting into life at Old Trafford is Alexis Sanchez.
The Chile international has scored once and added two assists in six starts for United since arriving in January as part of a swap deal that saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan move to Arsenal, but Matic is delighted to have him as a team-mate.
"Alexis is working really hard," Matic added.
"We are happy to have him in the team because in these kind of games a player with that quality can decide the game.
"I'm sure he will be very important for us on Sunday and for the rest of the season. I am happy he is a team-mate."
Second-placed United head into Sunday's clash three points ahead of Chelsea in fourth place and Matic, who moved from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford, is looking forward to the game against his former club.
Matic said: "I was there [at Chelsea] for three-and-a half years and I gave my best for that club and now I'm at Manchester United. I will play against them and I will give my best for United.
"We are all excited because these are games we all like to play. We like to compare our qualities with good teams.
"Chelsea have good players for sure and it's always good when you play against good teams. I am really looking forward to it.
"I expect an open game because we want to win, they want to win for sure and it will be very interesting for the supporters."
