Manchester United take on Southampton at Old Trafford tomorrow as they look to leapfrog Arsenal into the Premier League’s top four.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side go into the clash with the relegation strugglers after a comprehensive victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
One man who impressed during the 3-1 victory was Romelu Lukaku, prompting former United striker Dimitar Berbatov to make a shock comparison.
“The ball Lukaku played for Lingard against Liverpool, there aren’t many players who can make that pass,” Berbatov told Betfair.
“It was like watching Xavi or Iniesta!”
Lukaku scored a goal in each half to take his Premier League tally to ten goals for the season.
Berbatov added: “The two goals he scored, the runs he made, the passion in his performance all showed to me that he had a place in the team.
“I would like to see him start against Southampton because he has earned it.”
United currently sit fifth in the table a point behind Arsenal after a stunning run of nine wins in 11 league games.
Berbatov believes that although Lukaku has had a difficult season, his recent displays have proven his versatility.
“Don’t make the mistake of thinking he has to play central,” he said.
“In modern football many teams play with three upfront and that trio can switch positions and confuse the opposition.
“Lukaku is capable of using the space really well when he drifts left or right and has made a few assists from those positions.
“I like Romelu Lukaku and he’s earned a place in the first XI.
“He’s worked hard to be in the first team, you could see it in his game at Selhurst Park this week.
“Lukaku is not one-dimensional like some people assume.”