What has happened to Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United?

When Romelu Lukaku joined Manchester United from Everton for an initial fee of £75million in 2017, the move seemed like a perfect one for club and the player. He was one of the most prolific strikers in the European game and United were looking to become a force again in the English game. However, the move has turned into a bit of disaster for both parties.

What happened to the Lukaku from Everton?

Having watched Lukaku for five years at Everton, the current version of the striker is nowhere near as good as the one who turned out for the Toffees. At Everton, he looked hungry for goals and seemed eager to learn.

However, at Manchester United, he has looked nowhere near a £75million striker, even in these days of crazy transfer fees. Maybe once he secured a move to the Red Devils he felt like he had made it. Maybe the eager to learn Lukaku stopped trying to improve, as he was now playing for one of the biggest clubs in European football. Something has gone badly wrong in Manchester.

Maybe he was just overrated in the first place

Everton have not had a goalscorer of Lukaku’s ability for a long time. The Blues have struggled to replace his goals since his exit. During his days on Merseyside, there was always a feeling that Lukaku’s ego was writing cheques his talent could not cash.

For example, the Belgium international was a bit of a flat-track bully. He would score loads of goals against the inferior opposition in the top-flight. However, when he came to play against the better teams he struggled.

He has endured the same issue at Manchester United. He liked to talk his own ability up and maybe it is because of this talk that he is so overrated. Lukaku has always been so ambitious and driven.

Now the striker could be driven to the nearest airport by a variety of United fans who have offered him a lift via social media. In truth, Lukaku is a very good striker when he is on his game. He is big, strong and quick. At his best, he is a nightmare for defenders. However, he was not at his best for Manchester United last season.

The Red Devils want to return to the club’s glory days, which means having a top striker up front. His two seasons at United suggest that he cannot quite live up to that billing. Lukaku wants to be world-class. Unfortunately, his performance in recent months have been more Sunday league.

Inter the favourites to sign Lukaku

According to the Daily Mirror, Italian giants Internazionale are looking to sign the forward for the same fee United paid for him, £75million. The clubs are reportedly in negotiations over the fee. The Nerazzurri are favourites to sign the striker at odds of 3/10 this summer.

A move to Inter may well suite the Belgian international. He may thrive in Serie A under former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. It will certainly be a change of environment from the north west and playing in the Premier League.

Romelu Lukaku has lost his way somewhere between Merseyside and Manchester. Maybe one of his problems is that massive ego. If he showed more humility and less arrogance, he may well become a better player in the future. Top players can afford a touch of arrogance. He is not yet a top player, though.

Maybe those are character traits that the striker can never lose, and they may prevent him from becoming the striker he clearly thinks he is already.

What has happened to Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United?