Lukaku reveals reason for Manchester United exit

Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku has opened up about his failed move to Manchester United and the reasons why he decided to cut his time at Old Trafford short. 

Lukaku made a mega move to Manchester United in the 2017 summer transfer window for a reported £75 million plus £15 million and was expected to be the Red Devils’ leading striker for the next few years. 

However, after a positive first season at the club, where he scored 27 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions, Lukaku’s stock in Manchester fell staggeringly after a below-par campaign where he was only able to produce 15 goals in all competitions. 

The forward decided to leave at the end of his second season and has now opened up on why he decided to make the move to Italy with Inter rather than trying to make it work with Manchester United. 

In the Amazon Prime Video documentary called “One For All” which features Lukaku as well as Axel Witsel and Thibaut Courtois, the Belgian striker talked about his Old Trafford exit in detail. 

“I wasn’t happy anymore in England,” Lukaku said, “I wanted something new. That’s why I left. I wanted something new. 

“My head just wasn’t there anymore. I didn’t feel myself evolving as a person. I was done. That’s why I left England, I wasn’t happy and I couldn’t function.

On his decision to go Italy after his struggles in the Premier League, Lukaku said, “And then I thought, okay, where now? Italy. I remember the day, signing for Inter. I landed, and the people, the weather, and the food… My family was good there and I thought this is it, I’m good.”

Lukaku went on to win the Serie A title at Inter in 2021 and, after another failed move back to England, has returned to the Nerazzurri, helping them to the Coppa Italia title and a place in the UEFA Champions League final.