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INTER MILAN boss Antonio Conte has claimed Romelu Lukaku was a ‘rough diamond’ at Manchester United – but the stats show he’s been cut and polished in Italy.
The Belgian star, 27, never quite found his feet at Old Trafford and was often the target for criticism from fans.

How Man Utd Lukaku compared to Inter Milan Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku has been in exceptional form since joining Inter MilanCredit: AFP or licensors

Lukaku actually had a decent goals return at United, scoring 42 goals in 96 games.
But he was eventually sold for £66m by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the Norwegian looked to the future.
Little over a year since leaving England for Inter Milan, and Conte has managed to get the best out of the striker.
And recently, the Inter boss claimed Lukaku came to him as anything but the finished product.

Conte said: “Romelu is a different player to what he was a year ago.
“I always said in the past he was a rough diamond that I wanted to work with. 
“He is working and you can see just the way he receives the ball, the way he moves, everything has improved.”
And the stats clearly show Lukaku is finally realising his world-class potential.

Lukaku struggled to find his top form at Man UtdCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun

In fact, Lukaku has nearly matched his goal-scoring tally at Man Utd in just over HALF the games played in Italy.
The former Chelsea ace has scored 41 goals in a mere 58 matches at a rate of one every 117 minutes.
That’s compared to a goal every 168 minutes at Old Trafford.
Lukaku is also taking more shots per game and finding the net with a higher percentage of those shots in Milan.
On top of that, the Belgian is creating more chances, playing more passes – and at a higher rate of accuracy – while taking more touches per game.
In 2020-21, Lukaku has scored seven goals in just seven games for Inter Milan – adding three goals in just two games for Belgium.
Worryingly for defenders, he’s starting to look every inch the player United hoped he would be…

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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S reluctance to start £40million summer signing Donny van de Beek has raised questions throughout Europe.
More than that, though – it has made Manchester United’s loyal fanbase question whether or not the United manager wanted him in the first place.

Van de Beek has bizarrely been stuck on the bench this season – and questions are now being askedCredit: Sky Sports

Van de Beek is quickly becoming Man Utd’s new Juan Sebastian VeronCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

In 37 appearances in all competitions last season for Ajax, Van de Beek registered ten goals and 11 assists.
The season before he found the back of the net 17 times and assisted on 13 occasions.
People on social media have moaned that it’s a long season and that he’ll get his chance.
But this United is inconsistent and against Chelsea at the weekend, Solskjaer’s side were crying out for something different.

The week before during the 4-1 win at Newcastle, Van de Beek showed a glimpse of what he is capable of.
Sent on in the 76th minute and with the score at 1-1, it was the Dutchman’s clever play in the build-up to Bruno Fernandes’ goal that helped open up the Toon midfield.
That performance was followed by a short run out as a substitute in Paris in the Champions League, before back to looking dejected from the stands last Saturday tea-time as an unused bench-warmer.
The best way for a player to gain form and consistency is through playing matches.

United aren’t on a ridiculously good run, so fans are quite rightly asking why he hasn’t started more.
It felt a strange move when he joined – not because he lacked quality but because in Paul Pogba and Fernandes, United already have two highly-talented players who operate in his preferred position.
Van de Beek’s failure to start a Premier League game also hasn’t gone unnoticed in his home country.
Holland legend Marco van Basten believes the 23-year-old shouldn’t have joined United and instead chosen a club where he would be playing more regularly.
Speaking to Dutch TV channel Ziggo Sport, Van Basten said: Donny shouldn’t have gone to United.
“When you’re a good player you want to play every week.”
And it was a view shared by former United defender Patrice Evra who posted on Twitter: “Why did we buy Van de Beek?”

Van de Beek has looked good in his brief run-outs – so why is Solskjaer letting him rot on the bench?
So was Van de Beek a Solskjaer signing or was he given to him by United’s recruitment team to keep fans happy?
At the moment it feels like another Juan Sebastien Veron moment.
A player United didn’t quite need, and a cheaper alternative to say, Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, who could have floated in nicely from the right or left.
There may well be a greater plan here and Van de Beek may have been told to bide his time until Pogba moves on, either in January or more likely next summer.
But, as we saw during the last window, there are no guarantees.
At the moment, United have a talented player who looks disillusioned, who doesn’t fit the starting XI and who in all honesty should probably start to think about his own exit strategy.
That is, unless he is given more opportunities to start – beginning against RB Leipzig on Wednesday evening.

Man Utd boss Solskjaer tells his thoughts on new signing Donny van de Beek More

MANCHESTER UNITED host RB Leipzig in their second Champions League game of the season on Wednesday night.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a real selection dilemma on his hands for the game.

How Man Utd could line-up for their game with Leipzig

In last week’s tournament opener, the Man Utd boss – fearful of Paris Saint-Germain’s front-three – sent out a back-five.
Axel Tuanzebe thrived on the right-side of the central trio, keeping superstar Kylian Mbappe uncharacteristically quiet.
Despite his stunning performance, he was left out of the team for the 0-0 draw with Chelsea at the weekend, with Solskjaer reverting to his preferred 4-2-3-1.
Despite Leipzig posing a tough test, Solskjaer will be more confident – and, playing at home, too – is more likely to send out an attacking team.

With that in mind, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are likely to start in front of David De Gea.
In midfield, Scott McTominay and Fred have been Solskjaer’s preferred deeper pivot.
Over £130million’s worth of talent in Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek have been left on the bench, along with Nemanja Matic.
Bruno Fernandes will surely continue in his No10 role.

Another way Solskjaer could send out his team vs Leipzig

Anthony Martial is allowed to play, with his suspension purely domestic.
However, Edinson Cavani will be hoping to make his first start for the club having nearly scored with his first touch against Chelsea.
Marcus Rashford will likely start on the left wing, with Juan Mata, Daniel James and Mason Greenwood vying for the right spot.
Should Solskjaer opt to go with his 3-4-3 /5-2-3 formation, Tuanzebe would surely slot in alongside Lindelof and Maguire.
Wan-Bissaka would push forward to right-wing-back, with Alex Telles likely to be preferred to Shaw in this formation.
The United chief may opt for a more attacking midfield with five defenders in the team – offering the likes of Pogba and Van de Beek hope.
Odion Ighalo will also be hoping to feature, but is way down the list of striking talent at Old Trafford this season.
Man Utd host RB Leipzig at Old Trafford on Wednesday October 28, with kick-off 8pm.

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