On the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, a whole host of new signings scored on their debut. Alvaro Morata netted once in Chelsea's shock defeat by Burnley, Mohamed Salah registered a goal in Liverpool's draw with Watford, Alexandre Lacazette struck in a matter of seconds for Arsenal, and even Wayne Rooney joined the debut scoring club for Everton.
In the final game of the weekend, Manchester United vs West Ham at Old Trafford, all eyes were on Romelu Lukaku. The former Everton striker had already scored against Real Madrid and Manchester City over the summer, but this was the game that really mattered. Having cost a massive £75m, Lukaku would have felt the pressure to perform for his new club.
Jose Mourinho will therefore have been delighted to see his striker outdo all the others by scoring twice and coming close to a hat-trick in a 4-0 win. Although the manager will never admit it, it probably felt all the sweeter knowing that Lukaku had turned down the chance to re-sign for Chelsea to play at Old Trafford. In terms of the Belgian's pace, strength and finishing ability, United fans probably couldn't be happier either.
Some have tried to downplay the victory, pointing out that it came against a poor West Ham side. Last season, though, United beat Chelsea and Tottenham - the top two - at Old Trafford, but came unstuck against smaller sides who packed men behind the ball and played for a draw.
It was a different story on Sunday. West Ham had just one shot on target over the 90 minutes, preferring to sit deep and cede possession - as was often the case when sides played United away from home in 2016/17. But this time, the Red Devils were ready. Mourinho's men dominated from start to finish and, most important of all, put their chances away.
Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial were also on the scoresheet - two players United supporters are very fond of - but Lukaku's goals were the most crucial. If United are to win the league this season, or at least challenge for it, the Belgian will be key. For him to have already taken some of the pressure off his shoulders is huge.
Lukaku has always felt destined for a big club and his agent, Mino Raiola, previously claimed the striker would never have signed for Everton had he been advising him at the time.
"Later on, he’ll play for one of world’s best teams," Raiola said in 2015. "PSG, Manchester City, Manchester United or Bayern Munich. Big names, but nothing is impossible as Rom has great potential.”
Now that he's made it, he seems to be loving it. After scoring his first goal, he wheeled away and grabbed the United badge on his shirt.
The fans appear to be equally enamoured, having already trialled a few chants for their new striker, the best of which came featured the tune that used to be sung for Andy Cole: "Rom Rom Romelu, Romelu Lukaku, Man United's number nine, Romelu Lukaku". The clinical edge he demonstrated on Sunday was reminiscent of Cole, too.
Knee-jerk reactions should be avoided, although they are also inevitable from a fan base who have been starved of the success they had grown accustomed to. Yet Lukaku is merely picking up from where he left off.
While other teams brought in strikers who are yet to prove themselves in the Premier League, United opted for someone who has regularly competed for the Golden Boot. To do that at any club is an achievement, but Lukaku deserves even more credit given he was plying his trade at West Brom and Everton. With better service, he should score even more goals this season.
It's still early days for Lukaku, but there's no denying that he made a dream start at the weekend. United will be hoping he proves to be worth every penny of his transfer fee.
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