Manchester United rekindle Lukaku interest as Mourinho proves to be non-issue

goal.com

A long-standing interest in the Belgian is gaining momentum, while the Everton striker has soothed concerns over potential problems with the man tipped to be United's next manager.

Manchester United’s strong interest in Romelu Lukaku has returned, with the player's father referencing the club in a recent interview while the Everton striker dismissed concerns he would struggle to work with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who is being linked with the Old Trafford job.

With under-pressure United manager Louis van Gaal having been tasked with making transfer proposals for the 2016-17 season, Lukaku’s father has claimed his son to be among the club’s targets.

Roger Lukaku told Het Laatste Nieuws: “I see that there is interest from Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester United.“He’s ready. In my eyes Rom has to join Bayern or Manchester United.

“United are a team under construction with no real focus. Bayern Munich are a machine where he can rotate well. The only condition is if Robert Lewandowski leaves.”

And the player himself has admitted that he is open to a potential move, telling La Derniere Heure: "It is my dad’s point of view, those are the teams that he likes.

“It’s good to hear. Of course it means people are keeping an eye on you, but I have an agent who is dealing with this for me,” added the striker, whose contract with the Toffees runs until 2019.

“I just want to be good, help my team-mates win the games and score a lot of goals.”

Lukaku also moved to deny claims that the potential arrival of Mourinho would have a negative impact on a United approach.

The Portuguese has been widely linked with the Old Trafford hot seat, but he and Lukaku had a poor relationship during their time working together at Chelsea.

“Some people will say that I need to convince him but it’s not a question of that. Three years ago I was 20 and I wasn’t ready to be immediately effective in a top team,” he added.

“Several good seasons, including the current one, have changed the situation. I’ll be 23 [in May] and I could leave this summer.”

Mourinho blasted Lukaku’s lack of motivation to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge following the striker’s £28 million move to Everton, explaining: “The thinking behind the transfer was first of all the fact that Romelu was always very clear with us that in his mentality and his approach he was not highly motivated to come into a competitive situation at Chelsea.” 

Meanwhile, a source close to events at Old Trafford confirmed to Goal that while the club have been monitoring Lukaku’s progress since his Anderlecht days, it was during David Moyes’ time as manager that their scouting of the striker was accelerated.

The 22-year-old netted a hat-trick for West Brom in the 5-5 draw that marked the end of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 26-year reign at United, before moving to Everton on loan the following summer. His form the next season encouraged the Toffees to make his transfer from Chelsea permanent and also encouraged Moyes’ staff to ramp up their interest in the player. 

That interest appears to have returned. Van Gaal has one more season to run on his three-year deal but United’s lack of form this term has led to widespread rumours that he could be sacked 12 months before his scheduled retirement date.