Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has made a bombshell revelation about his £75 million move to Manchester United in 2017, admitting he never truly wanted to join the Red Devils.

In a candid interview with Het Nieuwsblad, the now 31-year-old Lukaku opened up about the behind-the-scenes events that led to his surprising switch from Everton to Old Trafford. According to the striker, his initial plan was to return to Chelsea, but a last-minute phone call from then-United boss Jose Mourinho changed everything.

“I had already told everyone: I’m going to Chelsea,” Lukaku said.
“But suddenly Mourinho called me to say that Manchester United had made an offer.
I came back from vacation and suddenly there was an agreement with Everton.
I said to Mino [Raiola]: ‘I don’t want this’, and then I decided now I’m doing everything myself.”

🔁 A Transfer Twist Driven by Influence, Not Intuition

Lukaku’s remarks point to a familiar theme in modern football — top players being pushed into moves orchestrated by agents, clubs, or managers, often sidelining their personal preferences.

While Lukaku managed to net 42 goals in 96 appearances during his two-season spell at United, many fans and analysts alike would agree that his time at Old Trafford never truly clicked — perhaps now explained by this lack of initial desire.

💭 Opinion: Did United Ever Get the Best of Lukaku?

For a striker of Lukaku’s pedigree, 42 goals is no small feat. But the fact that he joined without full conviction could explain why his United stint felt like a mismatch from the start. This new admission will certainly reignite debates among fans, especially those who felt Lukaku's heart was never fully in Manchester.

In hindsight, Chelsea’s loss was never really United’s gain, and one can’t help but wonder how different the story would have been had he followed his original instincts.