Chelsea show that Manchester United got it right on Romelu Lukaku

For many United fans, watching Romelu Lukaku tearing it up in Italy was a source of envy. His Old Trafford arrival from Everton had promised much and hopes were high that a much-needed true 'number 9' would put the Reds back in contention for honours.

But it didn't turn out that way, and when he was sold to Inter Milan and he promptly led them to the Serie A title almost single-handedly, the frustration in Manchester was almost palpable.

Lukaku thrived under Antonio Conte scoring 30 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions with Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo the only other centre-forwards in the world operating at that level.

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At United, the Belgian endured an up-and-down relationship with Jose Mourinho, with disappointment and doubts over his physical condition.

He'd arrived at United for £75m and his first season at the club was just satisfactory for a player that had commanded such a transfer fee. He made 33 starts in the Premier League that campaign and he became one of Mourinho's undroppables.

There would soon be trouble in paradise. United started the 2018/19 season slowly and Lukaku was no exception to that, scoring just six goals across the first 16 Premier League games. He was also goalless in the Champions League group stage and he looked vulnerable when sulking on the pitch. Mourinho had invested in Lukaku and the player's poor form was rather symbolic.

Mourinho's reign was coming to an end and he was failing to get the best of his players. Liverpool was his reckoning - it ironically should have been the same for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer years later - but his departure wasn't