Lukaku scored the winner for United in their midweek fixture against Bournemouth, just his second league goal in 10 games.

But he has failed to score against United’s big rivals this season, most notably in the derby against Manchester City last week.

He has now scored just five goals in his last 40 Premier League appearances against the so-called big six teams.

And that has raised question marks over the £75million fee United paid Everton for his services in the summer.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return to full fitness will no doubt heap added pressure on Lukaku to perform in the big games.

And former England international Redknapp believes the Belgium international must start delivering on the big stage.

“Romelu Lukaku was back on the scoresheet in midweek, scoring the winner against Bournemouth, but disappointingly he was once again unable to affect the big game last weekend, in the defeat to Manchester City,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.

“Eric Cantona, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham, Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy… the big strikers at Old Trafford affected the big games. That's what gets you the statue outside the stadium.

“Lukaku will score against West Brom this weekend, I'm sure, because he's a flat track bully. But he's got to change that perception of him. When you cost a club £80m you need to put in big performances in the big games.

“If he wants to get to the next level, that's what he needs to do. It's not about being overly critical of him. It's just fact. 

“He could score a hat-trick against West Brom and we wouldn't learn anything about him. 

“He has to start affecting these big games and showing us what he can do on the big stage.”