Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has hit out at reports that he is considering leaving the club due to a lack of first-team opportunities.
The Belgium international has seen his place in the starting line-up less secure than normal this season with caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opting to utilise other options up front.
Should Lukaku leave United? Here is what you need to know…
Lukaku joined Manchester United in 2017 from Everton for a fee of £75 million.
The 25-year-old has scored 36 goals in 78 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils.
This season, Lukaku has scored just nine goals in 27 appearances in all competitions, averaging a goal every three games.
Since Solskjaer’s arrival, Lukaku is yet to start a Premier League match.
Despite this, Lukaku has scored three goals since Solskjaer’s tenure began.
Reports have been rife regarding the potential exit of Lukaku from Old Trafford, despite there being no clear evidence that the former Toffee wanted to leave the club after falling behind Marcus Rashford in the pecking order.
Lukaku has hit out at these exit rumours via his personal Instagram account which confirmed in no uncertain terms that his aim is to stay at Manchester United.
The Instagram post from Lukaku read: “When the hate don’t work they start telling lies…”
Lukaku’s season to date
After scoring 27 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions last season, many expected Lukaku to continue his goalscoring exploits into this campaign.
His form at the 2018 World Cup – where he scored four goals as Belgium finished third in the competition – excited United fans who couldn’t wait for their number one striker to return home and continue doing what he does best.