Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave nothing away when asked if Romelu Lukaku was leaving this summer.
But the United manager’s response was hardly a ringing endorsement that wantaway striker Lukaku would still be at Old Trafford come the start of the new season next month.
Lukaku has been heavily tipped for a move to Inter Milan this summer, with delegates from the Serie A giants having been in Manchester last week to discuss a potential deal.
The Belgium striker was left out of the United side for Saturday’s 2-0 over Perth Glory.
And Solskjaer was asked after the game about Lukaku.
(Image: RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/EPA-EFE/REX)
Asked whether the 26-year-old would be fit for Wednesday’s game against Leeds United, Solskjaer said: “Yes, he should be fit for Wednesday. He trained yesterday, but it wasn’t useful to risk him today to be fair.”
That could be taken two ways – either that Lukaku wasn’t ready to play, or that United weren’t willing to risk him with a potential transfer on the cards.
Solskjaer was then asked whether Lukaku would still be a United player by the time the Red Devils kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Chelsea on August 11.
The United boss said: “Let’s see when the season starts.”
However, he did add that United had not received any offers for Lukaku that met their valuation, saying: “We’ve not had any bids that we’re considering.”
Meanwhile, former Belgium boss Georges Leekens, the man who gave Lukaku his international debut, reckons he needs a new stage to thrive on after blaming Solskjaer for the player wanting to leave .
He said: “Now I think it’s the right moment for him to go to Italy, to a country where the football is more tactical.
“He will like to take a little bit of revenge – and show Manchester United what they have been missing.”
