Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has praised Romelu Lukaku for impressing on his debut season with limited support by his teammates.

Lukaku, who signed from Everton in the close season, opened his account for Jose Mourinho's side in the 2-1 European Super Cup defeat by Real Madrid and has added another 25 goals in all competitions this term.

The Belgium international has largely operated as a lone forward and Cole, who partnered Dwight Yorke, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham in United's treble-winning season in 1999, believes that the 24-year-old has exceeded expectations.

"It's difficult to be a lone striker and especially if you don't get the service... it could be described as the graveyard shift because it is tough," Cole told the United website. "He has played the majority of games (this season) and that says a lot about him. He has not been injured and, for his first season, I think he has been top drawer.

"Sometimes people have questioned Romelu and said he hasn't done this or that, but you have to be brutally honest: if you don't get the service as a lone man it is tough. I think it has probably been a lot tougher than he would have thought and he appreciates that you can't have a weekend off at United, which he could have done at his previous clubs Everton and West Bromwich Albion."

United sit second in the Premier League table with 68 points from 31 games ahead of Saturday's derby with Manchester City.