london - A bizarre red card for Antonio Valencia couldn’t take the shine off Romelu Lukaku’s first goal for Manchester United on an eventful night in Utah.
United’s new £75million signing struck before half-time at the Rio Tinto Stadium as Jose Mourinho’s side came from behind to win their second game on tour.
Lukaku will score more important goals for United, but he is relishing the challenge of replacing Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford.
‘This is the job I wanted,’ said the former Everton striker. ‘I’m here to score goals and be the focal point of the team. I’m glad I’m here because you see it’s a big club and that’s the challenge I wanted.
‘At Manchester United, we play to win and that’s the mentality when I get on the pitch and everything comes with it.
‘From the first day, when we had the meeting with the manager in Los Angeles, you just felt that something special was happening. But it’s down to us now. We need to work hard every day and deliver.’
United ended the game with 10 men after Valencia was sent off for a scything challenge on Real Salt Lake midfielder Sebastian Saucedo.
It was retribution for Saucedo’s tackle on Juan Mata that left the Spaniard with a swollen ankle and struggling to be fit for the International Champions Cup games against Manchester City and Real Madrid. While Saucedo — who left on crutches — received lengthy treatment, American referee Allen Chapman warned Mourinho to take off Valencia or the Ecuador international would be sent off.
When the United boss stubbornly refused the referee’s request and a similar plea from Real coach Mike Petke, Valencia was shown a red card more than two minutes after committing the offence.
Mourinho said: ‘I think the delay was because the referee asked me to change the player and I didn’t because I don’t agree with the card.
‘Saucedo, I think is the name of the boy, was really aggressive in the second half. Some other actions were a bit dangerous. It’s young people with enthusiasm playing against Manchester United but it’s a friendly match and a different mentality.’
Mourinho admitted he had ‘no idea’ about United’s chances of landing Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic in a £44m deal.
Perisic, 28, reluctantly travelled with Inter to China yesterday but United are still hopeful of agreeing terms with the Italian club.
@ChrisWheelerDM