Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring for Manchester United (Getty)

Romelu Lukaku does not fear the competition Zlatan Ibrahimovic will provide for a place in the Manchester United side when the Swede returns to fitness.

The Belgian striker has made an excellent start at Old Trafford since joining from Everton with three goals in three Premier League games.

But before long he could have a battle on his hands for a place in Jose Mourinho’s side.

Last month the Red Devils announced that Ibrahimovic had agreed a new one-year deal, with the Swede expected to return to action from his knee injury around Christmas.

Ibrahimovic has signed a deal until the end of the season (Getty)

But Lukaku doesn’t fear for his place and revealed that he even told Ibrahimovic he wanted him to re-sign for the club following the expiration of his deal at the end of last season.

‘I said to Zlatan I hoped he would be back. We need his personality,’ he said while on international duty with Belgium.

‘He will bring many qualities to the team, and help us in our goal of winning the title.

‘I don’t fear the competition as a striker, or Zlatan. Things are going really well for me at United. The pre-season was good and it helped knowing a lot of the players before arriving.’

Manchester United 2018/19 Fixtures

Fulham (A) - Feb 9
PSG (H) - Feb 12
Chelsea (A) - Feb 18
Liverpool (H) - Feb 24
Crystal Palace (A) - Feb 27
Southampton (H) - Mar 2

Lukaku also revealed the role Mourinho had in him coming to Manchester United.

‘The manager has helped me a lot to settle quickly, so it has all been very positive. I am now with a coach that I have wanted to play with for a long time, since I was 11 years of age. And with him we are looking to do something special.

‘For me it is all about progressing and learning in my career, and all the coaches I have had have helped me with that.’

Mourinho and Lukaku in pre-season training (Getty)

Lukaku has been on fire for Belgium during the international break, scoring a hat-trick in a 9-0 win over Gibraltar and then scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory against Greece.

Manchester United will hope he can maintain that form when he returns to domestic duty with a game against Stoke this weekend.

MORE : Antoine Griezmann release clause reduced to £92m giving Manchester United hope of deal

MORE : Tottenham star Eric Dier speaks out following Manchester United transfer links