MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku believes his goal record deserves "more respect" but admitted he will not get it until he starts winning trophies.
Lukaku scored and assisted another as United beat his former club Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.
It was his first goal against the Premier League's top six clubs since his £75 million move from Everton, but the 24-year-old believes he has already done enough to prove himself.
"I've been in the game for so long," Lukaku said. "I started playing when I was 16. Year in, year out, people expect 20 goals from me. I've been doing it for 10 years straight so I think I've proved myself.
"You expect a bit more respect but it's the situation we're in. I don't listen to [the criticism]. I just want to improve and show the people what I can do on the pitch."
Despite a career that has seen Lukaku already score 167 goals in 357 games, he is yet to win a trophy in senior football.
Asked what he believes will earn him that respect, Lukaku was clear.
"If I win," he said. "I want to win. As long as I win and I lead my team to winning, that's when I will be really satisfied.
"As a football player, I don't play for the individual. I think a lot of big players that we recognise today in the game are players who have won something and I want to be part of them."
Had things been different in the summer, Lukaku might have been playing for Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Antonio Conte was interested in the striker before he chose United -- and Lukaku insists he made the right decision.
"When I make a choice it's with my head and my heart," Lukaku said. "I made the right choice for me. As you can see, I'm in a good situation. I'm with a manager and players who push me every day. The challenge is there to win and it's something that I wanted."
Lukaku's goal against Chelsea was his 22nd of the season, and with three months remaining, it is likely he will hit 30 goals in his first campaign at United.
Still, he insists United fans have not seen the best of him.
"I just need to keep working hard," Lukaku said. "I think I have got a nice record. I've scored a lot this season and I just want to keep going. I know that I can improve and I want to improve and really work hard. I want to win trophies. We are still in the fight in two competitions. It's not going to be easy but it's a nice challenge.
"I'm 24 and I think I have a lot of years ahead of me to improve before my prime so I'm never satisfied. I always want to improve and get better and it's a nice challenge."