Romelu Lukaku laughs and jokes a far cry from miserable Man Utd days with new Inter Milan tema-mates in training
WHEN the Theatre of Dreams becomes a nightmare, what better than a Rom-com?
Romelu Lukaku‘s joy and relief at his fresh start shone through as Inter Milan‘s new £73million striker laughed and joked in training.
The Belgium star looks more at home after just a week in Italy than at any time in the past year with Manchester United.
Lukaku had even trained with his old club Anderlecht earlier this month after his Old Trafford woes were summed up by boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer freezing him out ahead of the Premier League transfer window closing.
Now, though, the 26-year-old is already proving his international chief Roberto Martinez right.
Ex-Everton manager Martinez told Het Laaste Niewus: “The link between Romelu and Manchester United had simply come to an end.
“He needed fresh air. He’s found it at Inter and joined a very ambitious club.”
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FOUR-SOME DEBUT
After netting four on his first Inter game – Sunday’s 8-0 friendly win over Serie D side Virtus Bergamo – Lukaku grinned and bantered with team-mates today during training at Como.
In contrast, former Chelsea starlet Lukaku struggled at United early last season under Jose Mourinho.
And he never held a regular place at Old Trafford again once Mourinho was replaced by Solskjaer in December.
Lukaku’s chances of joining Serie A champions Juventus this summer then collapsed when United failed to persuade Old lady forward Paulo Dybala to reduce his £350,000-a-week wage demands.
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Inter boss Antonio Conte was always in the wings, though.
And despite an initial bid of £54m being rejected, ex-Chelsea manager Conte finally lured Lukaku last week for almost the same fee United paid Everton for him in July 2017.
But if Lukaku keeps up the form and spirits of his first days in Milan, then everyone will be a grinner.