Manchester United made a ‘mistake’ when they sold Romelu Lukaku in the summer of 2019, according to Rio Ferdinand.
After a successful stint at Everton, the Red Devils shelled out £75million to sign Lukaku in 2017, when former boss Jose Mourinho was in charge at Old Trafford.
Despite scoring 42 goals in 96 games for United across all competitions, the Belgium international striker received criticism for a perceived lack of finesse in his all-round game.
After just two seasons in Manchester, Lukaku was sold to Inter Milan, after which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer put his faith in Anthony Martial as his primary No.9 for the 2019/20 campaign.
Since moving to Serie A, Lukaku has rediscovered his best form, with his 24 goals in Italy’s top flight last season helping Inter win the Scudetto for the first time in 11 years.
The 28-year-old has also impressed for Belgium at Euro 2020, scoring three goals so far at this summer’s rescheduled tournament.
And United hero Ferdinand thinks selling Lukaku was an error as he guarantees goals and would thrive in Solskaer’s current side with the likes of Bruno Fernandes feeding him.
‘Yes, 100 per cent a mistake,’ Ferdinand told Vibe With FIVE.
‘I was someone who at the time was thinking does his style fit us, is he a good enough all-round player for Man Utd?
‘This guy, his goalscoring record, stacks up again anyone in the last 10 years. Anybody. He guarantees goals, I don’t care what else it is.
‘I think Ole got rid of him because of his style. Maybe it isn’t as free-flowing when he’s in the team, maybe you can’t bounce of him as easily as you can with some other players, maybe.
‘But sometimes, if you want goals, Man Utd have gone to somebody who was on a free transfer, a veteran in [Edinson] Cavani, who I love by the way, when you had a guy coming into his prime who everyone on the planet right now would probably take in their team, it doesn’t make sense.
‘It’s not a mobile, pressing front line. Ole’s forward line, the worst part of it is pressing. They don’t press. He’s wasted a year trying to do that without Lukaku because he presses as well as any of the boys there now.
‘Imagine him in this team now with the chances they create. Bruno Fernandes playing behind him, Jesus.’
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