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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Gareth Bicknell

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's cryptic six-word response when asked if Romelu Lukaku is leaving

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave nothing away when asked if Romelu Lukaku was leaving this summer.

But the United manager's response was hardly a ringing endorsement that wantaway striker Lukaku would still be at Old Trafford come the start of the new season next month.

Lukaku has been heavily tipped for a move to Inter Milan this summer, with delegates from the Serie A giants having been in Manchester last week to discuss a potential deal.

The Belgium striker was left out of the United side for Saturday's 2-0 over Perth Glory.

And Solskjaer was asked after the game about Lukaku.

Romelu Lukaku played no part in Perth (RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/EPA-EFE/REX)

Asked whether the 26-year-old would be fit for Wednesday's game against Leeds United, Solskjaer said: "Yes, he should be fit for Wednesday. He trained yesterday, but it wasn't useful to risk him today to be fair."

That could be taken two ways - either that Lukaku wasn't ready to play, or that United weren't willing to risk him with a potential transfer on the cards.

Solskjaer was then asked whether Lukaku would still be a United player by the time the Red Devils kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Chelsea on August 11.

The United boss said: "Let's see when the season starts."

However, he did add that United had not received any offers for Lukaku that met their valuation, saying: "We've not had any bids that we're considering."

Meanwhile, former Belgium boss Georges Leekens, the man who gave Lukaku his international debut, reckons he needs a new stage to thrive on after .

He said: “Now I think it’s the right moment for him to go to Italy, to a country where the football is more tactical.

“He will like to take a little bit of revenge – and show Manchester United what they have been missing.”

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