Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Romelu Lukaku has revealed he still retains a desire to work for and impress Jose Mourinho , despite the Manchester United manager getting rid of him during their time together at Chelsea .
The Belgian will formally complete his £75m move to Old Trafford this week, which could rise to a world-record fee with add ons, but was sold by Mourinho after making just 10 league appearances at Stamford Bridge.
During his three years in west London, the 24-year-old spent two season on loan at West Brom and Everton before being sold to the latter for £28m, leaving suggestions that Mourinho didn’t fancy him to spearhead his attack.
How Manchester United could line up next seasonShow all 12 1 /12How Manchester United could line up next season How Manchester United could line up next season How could United line up? Jose Mourinho's side have been linked with dozens of new signings, but who is most likely to line up for the club in time for the start of the 2017/18 season?
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Goalkeeper – David De Gea Reports in Spain now suggest De Gea will stay at United once again as Real Madrid have failed to convince the club to sell.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Right back – Serge Aurier Serge Aurier is believed to be in advanced talks with Manchester United ahead of a £25m move to Old Trafford. However visa issues are delaying the move so far.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Centre-back – Eric Bailly Bailly had a phenomenal first season at United and looks like he will be the bedrock of Mourinho’s defence for the foreseeable future.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Centre-back – Victor Lindelof Victor Lindelof has joined the club from Benfica and will start in the heart of United's defence.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Left-back – Danny Rose Danny Rose is pushing for a move north and Manchester United are known to be interested in the left-back as Luke Shaw's future grows even more uncertain.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Midfield - Ander Herrera A fan favourite at Old Trafford, Herrera's tenacious performances in the middle of the park last season saw his stock rise immeasurably. With Wayne Rooney's days numbered, the Spaniard may be in line to take the captain's armband.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Midfield – Nemanja Matic The signing of Matic is one that screams not only of the need for discipline in the heart of this United team, but one that reiterates how the Portuguese is looking for players who can help him win now, not a couple of years down the line.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Midfield – Paul Pogba Mourinho is known to want to bring in a defensive midfielder in order to free up the Frenchman to operate further up the field.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Left-wing - Marcus Rashford The young English forward has done enough to earn Mourinho's trust and should be used in the first XI far more next term.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Right-wing – Ivan Perisic United are only willing to spend £35m on Perisic but Inter want £50m. The club are still confident they can push the deal through.
Getty
How Manchester United could line up next season Striker - Romelu Lukaku Mourinho has prioritised a new No.9 this summer following Zlatan Ibrahimovic's season-ending injury and subsequent release and has opted for Lukaku as his top choice.
Getty Images
However, Lukaku has insisted the pair are on good terms again and understands the circumstances are different now to in 2014.
He told ESPN : “[Mourinho is] a guy who I wanted to play for since I was 10 years old, so now to have the opportunity to work under him again is great. We've been in contact. He explained to me how the club was like, what he expects from me.
“You know, we were together under different circumstances. Obviously, the first time when I met him, I was still a young kid, and I was eager to play. And he understood my decision why I left at the time.
“I returned on the pitch. Now I'm 24. I'm a grown man. He sees the maturity that has grown throughout the years, so I'm really thankful for the opportunity he gave me again.
“I think he wants to improve me, make me a better player than I am today, which is good. I always want to improve. I always want to work on the good stuff, but also the bad stuff.
Manchester United summer transfer targetsShow all 8 1 /8Manchester United summer transfer targets Manchester United summer transfer targets Ivan Perisic, Inter Milan United want to spend £35m on Perisic but Inter are holding out for closer to £50m. That said, Mourinho is a big fan and may be willing to go the extra mile to get him. Likelihood: 7/10
Getty
Manchester United summer transfer targets Renato Sanches - Bayern Munich Sanches was being chased by United before deciding on Bayern Munich last summer but is back on their radar again 12 months later. He is available for £43m and Ancelotti has admitted United are "a possibility".
Getty
Manchester United summer transfer targets Fabinho - Monaco An extremely versatile player Mourinho sees him more as a defensive midfielder and could be used to give Paul Pogba, last summer's big addition, more freedom. Monaco aren't in any rush to lose any more first team stars this summer though and are likely to demand a hefty fee. Likelihood: 7/10
AFP/Getty Images
Manchester United summer transfer targets Eric Dier - Tottenham United have already had a bid less than £25m rejected for the defensive midfielder and know they must more than double it to have any hope of signing Dier, who is understood to want the move.
Getty
Manchester United summer transfer targets Nemanja Matic - Chelsea Nemanja Matic has twice worked under Jose Mourinho before and he wants to make it a third time at United. However, after beating Chelsea to Romelu Lukaku, relations between the two clubs have been soured somewhat.
Getty
Manchester United summer transfer targets Gareth Bale - Real Madrid The Real Madrid forward would be a marquee signing, the type that the Manchester United boardroom are keen to make, and The Independent has been told by sources from both United and Madrid that a deal is 'much likelier' than ever before. The player himself though is happy in the Spanish capital. Likelihood: 5/10
Getty
Manchester United summer transfer targets Willian - Chelsea Mourinho is a huge admirer of Willian, who he signed in 2013 while at Chelsea. The pair won a Premier League title and League Cup double together the following year and it is believed that the United manager will do his best to sign the player, who has not been a regular starter in Antonio Conte’s system. Whether Chelsea will allow him to leave, particularly to join Mourinho at their rivals is yet to be seen. Likelihood: 4/10
Getty
Manchester United summer transfer targets Andrea Belotti - Torino Another of Europe’s most promising players, Belotti is fast becoming well-known after his outstanding performances at Torino, where he has scored 37 goals in 64 appearances since 2015. His best years are still ahead of him aged just 23, which contributes to the incredible €100m release clause, applicable only to clubs outside of Italy, negotiated into his contract. Torino are in no hurry to sell and will drive a hard bargain with any deal likely to start at upwards of £70m. Likelihood: 7/10
Getty
“He knows how to make players better, and make players winners as well. For me, I think it's the perfect opportunity.
“I'm 24. I never won a major trophy, but I'm eager to win something and to be part of a team that wins trophies, and I think he's the right guy to help me in that.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies