Manchester United 3-0 Stoke City: 5 Talking Points

#2 Romelu Lukaku's work ethic shines through

Romelu Lukaku exults after scoring

Lambasted for his poor goal return after a flurry at the start of the season, the big Belgian will take heart from not just the fact that he scored, but the manner of the goal as well - controlling Martial's rifled pass on his chest, holding off Kevin Wimmer and Bruno Martins-Indi with absurd ease, and threading the eye of the needle with the finish.

Goals maketh strikers, but Jose Mourinho would have also been pleased with the way his marquee signing played. Lukaku was on the same boat as the out-of-form Alvaro Morata at Chelsea and Alexandre Lacazette at Arsenal - but for one aspect; his contribution to the team play and that's the one aspect that Mourinho craves in his men.

On the night, as he has been almost always this season, Lukaku tirelessly ran the channels, drifting out wide to the right to allow Jese Lingard and Juan Mata free reign in the middle, whipping in some sublime balls (the best crosser-from-the-wings on the pitch, it's a pity he can't get on the end of one his own crosses) and using his size and strength to hold up play and bully defenders constantly.

13 - Romelu Lukaku has had a hand in 13 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions for @ManUtd at Old Trafford this season (10 goals, 3 assists). Stage.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 15, 2018

Still just 24, he's only going to get better.