Ashley Young has admitted he was baffled by Manchester United’s decision to sell Romelu Lukaku.
Over the last half-decade or so, this Manchester United side has headed in several different directions under a few different managers. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has tried to bring the identity back to the Old Trafford club. You have to commend that.
Fast, free-flowing, attacking football while flooding in younger players. That mantra meant some excellent footballers would have to be moved on because they didn’t fit the system.
Both Ashley Young and Romelu Lukaku would head to Inter Milan. This week, they’d both celebrate a Serie A title. All credit to them, both played their part, Lukaku in particular.
Now, while speaking to English media about his time in Italy, the ex-United man Young revealed that he was left baffled by the Reds’ decision to sell the star striker Lukaku.
Check out what the former United captain said here:
“I said it at the time, I couldn’t understand the decision. Whether it was made quickly or not, Romelu has proved a lot of people wrong,” Young said exclusively to Sky Sports.
“He’s worked unbelievably hard. There was talk that he was overweight and couldn’t do this or that. He’s smashed record and made history in Italy, he’s been unbelievable for the club.
“For me he was fantastic even in the Premier League, to go out there and face another challenge, I think it was the right choice for him. He deserves all the plaudits he is getting.”
Wherever he has played, Lukaku has scored goals galore. Even at United, the Belgian would find the back of the net with regularity.
What cannot be denied is the overall fit. Lukaku couldn’t do the job that Solskjaer wanted from his striker. His hold-up play was bad, his link-up play was even worse. Edinson Cavani has been a far better fit for the 20-time Premier League champions, in my opinion.
That’s not to take away from Lukaku as a player. The Belgian is breaking record-after-record over in Italy with Inter. The difference? They build their team around Lukaku, whereas at United, he was one of many cogs as opposed to the vital ingredient.
At the time, I firmly believe United made the right decision to sell Lukaku. That doesn’t change because he’s having success in Italy.
Were Man Utd right to sell Romelu Lukaku? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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