Will always be grateful to Manchester United, says Romelu Lukaku

The former Chelsea and West Brom striker joined United from Everton for £75m, and finished his career in Red scoring 42 goals in 96 games for the club - but managed to net just 15 last season. That saw him come under a lot of criticism, with the Belgian eventually revealing at the end of last season that he would like to play in Italy one day.

That saw him linked with a move to Inter Milan and Juventus all summer, before eventually signing for the Nerazzurri just before the British transfer window slammed shut. It saw him become the third most expensive signing by a Serie A side after Juventus’ moves for Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain. Now in an exclusive interview with BBC, Lukaku has opened up about his time at Manchester United and his former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

"When I was growing up, Italy had Ronaldo, Adriano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They were three players I looked up to as a kid. For me, that was really interesting. My brother is playing here. Playing at Inter Milan is a blessing for me. It is a club with a big history,” Lukaku said to the BBC.

“It is hungry and wants to improve and do well. I was at a stage where I needed a new challenge. This one came at the right time. For me, the Manchester United experience is one I am grateful for - not a good one because we didn't win and I wanted to win with the club - but they gave me a chance. I got to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, so I will always be respectful to them.

"At the end, I thought it was better for me to move on and try different things. I wish them well for the future. Now I am on my own path and I am very happy in Serie A. Coming from where I came from, growing up the way that I did, I think I beat the odds. No-one thought I would do the steps I have in my life as a professional footballer, only me and my family,” concluded the Belgian.