Romelu Lukaku scores his first goal for Manchester United

Manchester United’s big summer signing Romelu Lukaku opened his account in the Reds’ 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Monday.

The 24-year-old’s coolly taken finish — which, despite coming shortly before halftime, proved the winner — was at odds with a rather fiery contest: Juan Mata limped off after United came from behind to take the lead, before Antonio Valencia was sent off for avenging his injured teammate.

José Mourinho was reportedly given the chance by the referee to substitute Valencia, though the official’s hand was forced when Mourinho refused, believing the United full-back hadn’t committed a red card-worthy offence. The good news is that Mata isn’t believed to be badly hurt, and looks set to appear — with Valencia — in the remainder of United’s pre-season friendlies.

United are next in action on Thursday evening (or painfully early on Friday morning for those in Europe), when they go head-to-head with Manchester City in the first of their International Champions Cup matches.