It is safe to say Romelu Lukaku hasn't enjoyed the best season of his career. For the Manchester United frontman, it has been campaign of inconsistent starts, a mixed bag of performances and a lack of goals, with the striker’s United future in question.
The Belgian has scored just 15 goals in 45 appearances for United this season — a career worst — and those are worrying statistics not only for Lukaku but for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
With an inevitable overhaul looming for United this summer, where several players are destined for the chop, Lukaku's future is not crystal clear, amid links to Serie A and following an interview in which the 25-year-old hinted at an exit.
"Playing in Serie A is a dream, it would be really a dream," he told Italian media.
"I hope to be able to play sooner or later even if at the moment I am focused on United."
Despite his poor form and those comments, however, it is thought Solskjaer intends to include the striker in his plans for next season.
Seemingly the only way Lukaku will be allowed to leave the club is if United can find a suitable replacement, while also finding a club willing to pay the necessary funds, to recoup the £90million United paid to Everton (including add-ons) back in the summer of 2017. Both options could be tricky in the current transfer market.
Lukaku hasn't showed consistent form since Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho back in December, prompting sources close to the player to hint at that possible move away from Old Trafford.
If Antonio Conte or Mourinho decide to return to management in Italy the door could be opened, with Inter Milan the likely destination for one of the two managers and perhaps even for the Belgian.
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Conte, whose agent Federico Pastorello also represents Lukaku, could see the United striker as a key target if he were to return to Serie A. Mourinho, who managed Lukaku at Chelsea and United, may also have his former frontman on his radar if he were to return to his beloved Inter or another Italian side.
Regardless of the season Lukaku has had, it is up to Solskjaer to find a way to get the striker back to his best, and the prospect of the Europa League next season could be one way to do this.
During the 2014/15 season Lukaku, then an Everton player, scored eight goals in nine games for the Toffees in their Europa League run. By playing Lukaku in next season's European competition, Solskjaer may be able to transform Lukaku back into the striker who was, only a year ago, grabbing 20 plus goals a season.
Lukaku has his critics but he usually guarantees goals against lesser opposition. There may be no better platform for him than the Europa League.
Having missed out on the Champions League for next season, United may struggle to attract megastar strikers in any case — let alone any viable replacements for Lukaku. Just one addition to the frontline will not be enough if they lose Lukaku and perhaps Alexis Sanchez too.
Sell, or back, United have a decision to make.
Next season will be make or break for Lukaku, who has three years left on his United contract. It is not too late for him to turn his United career around.
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