Solskjaer's Man Utd transfer vow in July which looks very awkward now

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might be regretting something he said in July following the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan and the subsequent failure to replace the Belgian.

Lukaku completed a £73million switch to Inter Milan on Thursday's English transfer deadline day.

It had become clear that the Belgian's relationship with United had deteriorated in the final few weeks of his time at the club, and he had even begun training with his former club Anderlecht as he sought to force a move to Italy.

United were linked with moves for Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic as potential replacements for Lukaku, but deals for both of the Juventus forwards floundered and United were left without either one.

And given that Lukaku left, Solskjaer's words from United's pre-season training camp in Australia would come back to haunt him.

The Norwegian said, via Mirror Sport's David McDonnell , that “if we sell players we will have to replace them."

But that is precisely what they haven't done.

In that same interview, Solskjaer outlined the task on United's hands as they try and return to English football's summit.

“It did feel like [we were a long way behind City and Liverpool ] towards the end of last season but it didn’t feel like it in the beginning when I came in," he said.

“I am always an optimist. Let’s see how we start off and how close we get this season. A successful season is if we win a trophy at this club.

“We have a clear aim and we want to look a certain way. We know it’s going to take time."

United open their Premier League campaign with a home game against Chelsea on Sunday.