Romelu Lukaku's goalscoring exploits in his debut season at Inter Milan will have left Manchester United questioning their decision to let him leave, says Paul Ince.
Having fallen out of favour last season under Jose Mourinho and then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Lukaku was allowed to leave Old Trafford to join Antonio Conte's men in a £73million move.
With a new lease of life in Italy, Lukaku has hit the ground running at the San Siro, scoring a ridiculous 34 goals in his first year there – equalling a club-record tally set by the legendary Ronaldo in the 1997-98 season.
Lukaku went on to score the opening goal in the Europa League final, drawing level with Ronaldo's record, but will ultimately be remembered for putting the ball in the back of his own net to hand Sevilla the title.
And while it will be a disappointing end to a fantastic season, Ince was full of praise for the 27-year-old.
When asked about Lukaku's incredible campaign and whether he'd replicate back in England, Ince, who played for both Inter and United, told BT Sport: 'No I don't think he would be [scoring that amount of goals for United].
'He's with a different manager, I think what [Antonio] Conte's got out of him is a lot more than what [Jose] Mourinho or Ole got out of him at Manchester United.
'He looks fitter, he looks stronger, he looks at it.
'Has it benefited Man United? I don't think so, because they still need a man, if you go back to the game against Sevilla where they couldn't score, they need someone to put the ball in the back of the net.
'When you see Lukaku do that, you start thinking why did we let him go?'
Solskjaer has opted to go with Anthony Martial to lead the line for United this season as Marcus Rashford recovered from injury.
Mason Greenwood also enjoyed a breakout year with the club and is set to be handed a more permanent role for next season.
Loabcestu
1
lukaku scored the winning goal in Europa league finals, say no more. Ince why you hate Manchester United
A_YY
1
Paul Ince is Always talking rubbish. Lukaku insisted he wanted to leave....and there were reports of his attitude changing...plus Ole wasn't sure he fits his project as he couldn't even get fit enough. It's past tense Paul Ince...say something else
sooanopsuy
0
Selling Lukaku was the right decision for Man United to do . Rashford is getting more opportunities as a ST and is now more clinical now in front of goal.
No it wasn’t the right decision
Hiucdknpsu
1
ole drive him awy
Partzee
2
ince is right,we don't have a number 9 like zlatan,lukaku,vardy lewa,or kane,letting lukaku go was big mistake.
Lenbeopsuz
0
Hatbiklpst
0
than helping Sevilla win Euro league final.. ha ha ha
Vaaaben
1
Paul Ince is very jealous of Ole. Do not take serious note of his advice. He hardly speaks good for United these days.
Vaaaben
0
man u is for England player ...see now is forcing to get Sancho ..instead of to get Douglas Costa or chies ..
Costa is an injured player. He hardly plays for Juventus. He is a bench warmer. Brooks or Torres are good option.
Vaaaben
3
It was a correct decision made at that time. Lukaku was struggling, every one could see that & was not playing at his potential. Right call for him as well as Sanchez, Young & Smalling. Now after Ole appointment transfer strategy of pursuing young talents is on the right path. We will be more than happy to see more exodus of players than incoming new recruits. Nice to see United not bowing to any unfair demands of clubs.
X-Terminator
1
The same reason why he scored an unfortunate own goal
maxm70
2
Selling Lukaku was the right decision for Man United to do . Rashford is getting more opportunities as a ST and is now more clinical now in front of goal.
ACE07
1
Yes he's doing good at Inter, but I still think United did good by allowing him to leave. The united attack this season was a breath of fresh air as Rashford Martial and Greenwood were able to adapt their technical abilities to Ole's free flowing football and scored more goals than even the feared trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino
Vikram95
1
I don't thin utd do miss Lukaku. His goal output at utd was tragic and his current goal out put is being covered by the likes of Martial greenwood and rashford plus he didn't even ein the uel which wss the cade which could have been made against utd if he had but he ended up on the losing side with a decisive 1 on 1 miss by him
hizdmry
0
English defenders to strong for lukaku. He was at Chelsea WHT did he the do. Thn he went to play for westbronn, still he couldn't fine the form go Everton usless make uturn to man u one of the best club's in the world he failed so Inter and Italy his were he belongs
if he was not performing in this teams you mentioned, why did man united bought him in the first place. you don't know what you talking about.
wuedistz
0
man u is for England player ...see now is forcing to get Sancho ..instead of to get Douglas Costa or chies ..
haubdnsz
3
Lukaku is still.better than Rashford. They just never liked him at United and if he was English I bet you they would have given him another chance
haubdnsz
0
English defenders to strong for lukaku. He was at Chelsea WHT did he the do. Thn he went to play for westbronn, still he couldn't fine the form go Everton usless make uturn to man u one of the best club's in the world he failed so Inter and Italy his were he belongs
what bunch of nonsense.Do you k me how many goals Lukaku got in Engla d b4 the age of 26?!! More than 100.He was never given full confidence by any of the big clubs.
haubdnsz
2
If the guy was English he will never have left
Cuhekouy
1
still, when you see his first touch at inter, you know it's not gonna work in man utd.
Webbcems
0
Ole will never win any trophy with Marital & Rash as main players. it was a huge error to let Lukaku go. If Ole thinks has goals in Martial it's a lie coz the player can't even dribble did fenders.
on the the contrary, I think Martial is better than Rashford and they should compete for the same position on the left. We still need a striker like Harry Kane!
fcbmyblood
0
English defenders to strong for lukaku. He was at Chelsea WHT did he the do. Thn he went to play for westbronn, still he couldn't fine the form go Everton usless make uturn to man u one of the best club's in the world he failed so Inter and Italy his were he belongs
man u fans never liked lukaku, lakaku used all his strength, love and passion to play for man u, but man u fans make him a flop, when lose they blamed him
naaikmrsz
1
lukaku was fantastic,. martial and Rashford can't perfom
Vezonic22
0
Ole will never win any trophy with Marital & Rash as main players. it was a huge error to let Lukaku go. If Ole thinks has goals in Martial it's a lie coz the player can't even dribble did fenders.
Really?????
yuocdkmnpt
0
Ole will never win any trophy with Marital & Rash as main players. it was a huge error to let Lukaku go. If Ole thinks has goals in Martial it's a lie coz the player can't even dribble did fenders.
Watch and c WHT Ole will do 3rd position and 3 semifinals that's a achievement already
yuocdkmnpt
3
Paul Ince is jealous of Ole since he didn't get a chance to coach man united
yuocdkmnpt
0
English defenders to strong for lukaku. He was at Chelsea WHT did he the do. Thn he went to play for westbronn, still he couldn't fine the form go Everton usless make uturn to man u one of the best club's in the world he failed so Inter and Italy his were he belongs
Lidbcnps
0
Ole will never win any trophy with Marital & Rash as main players. it was a huge error to let Lukaku go. If Ole thinks has goals in Martial it's a lie coz the player can't even dribble did fenders.
Martial can not dribble? Hmmm Inter Milan that have Lukaku how many trophy have they carry this season in total??.Lukaku himself how many trophy have he carry in his whole carrier??
kupadeikuy
4
Ole will never win any trophy with Marital & Rash as main players. it was a huge error to let Lukaku go. If Ole thinks has goals in Martial it's a lie coz the player can't even dribble did fenders.
mzeereal
1
You are fool so 23 goals from martial with only one penalty is a joke to u?
Just a fool like you
mzeereal
1
You are fool so 23 goals from martial with only one penalty is a joke to u?
Praise you are an id**t.. You have right to comment so if you have idea write it. Fuc*k off
DPraise
0
Gambling is what really affects Ole and man united board.. Some decisions are insane.. We don't have striker yet you sell the only pure 9 we have.. Game against Copenhagen and sevilla shows how low is the attacking force we have in man united.. None of them can score a goal except penalty which Bruno score.. That is just out of sense and useless tactics
You are fool so 23 goals from martial with only one penalty is a joke to u?
Tshoda
1
the problem with Lukaku and man united is when he was on man united is kind of static
Kkrexuke
0
He still have those elephant legs. Otherwise, he wouldn't be deflecting the winner into the net.
MogomotsiNlebgwa
2
I think Paul Ince has a short memory or he is ignorant. Lukaku has said it several times that he no longer wanted to be at Old Trafford. Should Manchester United have kept him when his commitment was not there? Definitely no.
mzeereal
5
Gambling is what really affects Ole and man united board.. Some decisions are insane.. We don't have striker yet you sell the only pure 9 we have.. Game against Copenhagen and sevilla shows how low is the attacking force we have in man united.. None of them can score a goal except penalty which Bruno score.. That is just out of sense and useless tactics
LordVader
3
It's simple. He says he didn't want to be there and Ole doesn't want players at the club who aren't 100% committed.
Carlito66
0
Seriously Ince. It’s easy to question now because he’s gone to Italian league scored a load of goal and now you wanna question the decision to let him go 😂😂joker! From what I saw yesterday his 1st touch still isn’t great and the way Inter were lumping the ball upto him I’m not surprised they lost. Any conte is obviously happy with him but also knows I further improvements need to happen with Lukaku.,He’s a good player & goal scorer yes but that doesn’t mean United made a mistake letting him go. Sometimes it’s best for players to move and in this case Ole did the right thing because he’s got a few goal getting in his ranks. Pipe down Ince.. talking 💩 again 🤫😷
Glad you like it 😊 The forwards United currently have are dynamic and fit the system Oles wants to play. With Lukaku you have to play to his strengths which is one dimensional. Don’t get me wrong it would’ve been nice to keep him but he wants no1 status which he knew was happening at United. He’s the main man @inter hence the goals.
Lidbcnps
5
kits..We forget that Lukaku is the one that play penalty for Inter Milan wot if Martial is Man united main penalty taker like Lukaku is to Inter..Is not that penalty is that easy to score but it's an advantage to any striker that is main penalty taker to his team. Secondly do we also think that if Lukaku is wit man united this season will Marital that score 23 goals,Rasford 22 goals And Greenwood 17 goals will be able to score that amount of goals?. Mind you Lukaku last season in man united he scores total of 15 goals in 45 matches Wot I am trying to say is that Lukaku pattern of play suit Antonio Conte style while Lukaku is not Ole type of striker
Coakloprsu
0
Paul didn’t not see that he was not fit plus he was lacking the killer instinct he would usually have. I like him but it. Benefited both parties allowing him to leave martial firing rashford firing and greenwood the Bomb sometimes. Must give people at little praise
flourishing1337
5
playing for united isn't easy and being in EPL is also a difficult state. even if lingard leaves now to join inter he will shine more. and become a legend probably..
Yatekostuz
0
Seriously Ince. It’s easy to question now because he’s gone to Italian league scored a load of goal and now you wanna question the decision to let him go 😂😂joker! From what I saw yesterday his 1st touch still isn’t great and the way Inter were lumping the ball upto him I’m not surprised they lost. Any conte is obviously happy with him but also knows I further improvements need to happen with Lukaku.,He’s a good player & goal scorer yes but that doesn’t mean United made a mistake letting him go. Sometimes it’s best for players to move and in this case Ole did the right thing because he’s got a few goal getting in his ranks. Pipe down Ince.. talking 💩 again 🤫😷
Oyeah I see huh What about Rashford and other are they fit in that system, Funnyman
Yatekostuz
3
King lukaku💕💕💯
Yatekostuz
0
please it 35 u didn't add the one won Sevilla the UEL Cup 😌😌
Whatever you say about Lukaku we don't care because he break the record of legendary RONALDO. LET'S see if Rashford and the other kids can do it at united.
fitadelmr
2
Mr Paul please we don't need lukaku in our team.... you are not talking like a man u legend at all I don't know why u hate man u so much since I know you,you haven't said anything good about man u like other legends just look at how Paul scholes, Rio, Garry and others use to talk and learn from them
XMASUG
0
he opened en closed the match
Dagan1999
0
Sancho,Sane,Dzeko,Navas..
They weren't flops at City unlike the United players
Yambcknory
0
Lukaku , Di Maria , Depay , Zaha etc
Sancho,Sane,Dzeko,Navas..
thibgerard
0
all this while Ince has been talking rubbish only when there are nagetive signs but with the positive results of late no one hears a word from this so-called legend
I agree
fuhabklmpz
5
all this while Ince has been talking rubbish only when there are nagetive signs but with the positive results of late no one hears a word from this so-called legend