£33m Zirkzee transfer, Man United dilemma, Ratcliffe theory - Final Romelu Lukaku verdict given

Manchester United's summer transfer window is gearing up but so far new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to be making more off-the-pitch additions than on-the-pitch ones.

New sporting director Dan Ashworth kicked off the month, with Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake both set to join Erik ten Hag's backroom staff after the Dutchman's one-year extension option was confirmed by the club this week. Former Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell is also set to arrive at Old Trafford - at least in the short-term - to help with player recruitment and talent ID.

However, there are still pressing issues on the pitch. The club's worst Premier League finish in 34 years and a calamitous Champions League group stage looked certain to mark the end of Ten Hag's time in the dugout but a brilliant FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester City seems to have sparked the squad into life.

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While there will no doubt be many exits over the summer, there is the clear need for upgrades in all three thirds of the pitch. Defensively woeful last season, United are looking to make sure that goalkeeper Andre Onana doesn't have to face as many shots as he did throughout the 2023/24 campaign while the midfield needs some fresh legs in order to control the centre of the pitch.

Going forward was where United arguably looked their best, with Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund both leading the line for the club's attackers with a struggling Marcus Rashford unable to replicate his 30-goal campaign from the season prior. And it is in that area of the pitch that they could reportedly find themselves reunited with a familiar face in the form of Romelu Lukaku, who has been out-of-favour at Chelsea for well over two years now having been out on loan twice since June 2022.

In his two seasons at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Belgian international netted 42 goals in 96 appearances but his inconsistency under both meant a move to Inter Milan in August 2019 was always on the cards. However, with no progress on signing Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee, could United look to Lukaku as a replacement?

According to Calciomercato, United would consider a surprise switch to bring Lukaku back to Old Trafford this summer. Here's what our writers have to say about the rumours surrounding Lukaku and a potential Old Trafford return...

Oliver Jones

There's absolutely no benefit for Man United to go anywhere near Lukaku this summer. The player and club never really left on amicable terms anyway, neither have ever hinted at wanting a reunion and all Ratcliffe would achieve would be £38m to a Premier League rival who are desperate to offload a player they don't want.

A myriad of clubs are said to be interested in the player, but none enough to entertain the asking price the Blues have put on him - which is already a £64.5m loss - so if United were to be inclined to give him a home, they could do so relatively cheaply.

While a deal may be able to provide Hojlund with an experienced striker to look up to and 'model' his game off of, Lukaku isn't the type of player you want your exciting, young talent to be looking up to. His antics at Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel are a prime example of why United should steer clear of the 31-year-old who, while a proven goalscorer in the Premier League, Lukaku should be at the bottom of any potential wishlist Ineos have drafted up this summer.

Jack Flintham

I am thoroughly split on a Lukaku reunion. On the one hand, bringing ex-players who are ageing back to Old Trafford is one of the moves the Glazers would have unfurled and undoubtedly it would have ended in disaster.

On the flip side, bringing back a player who has bagged 20 goals in Italy last season on a reduced deal considering his position at Chelsea makes a lot of sense. Let's be clear, if the Belgian was to join it would not be to become the main goalscoring threat next season.

Instead, he would be utilised alongside Hojlund and potentially Zirkzee too as another option. Considering how rammed the schedule will be again next season, three solid strikers is exactly what the Reds need.

An experienced, older head will be beneficial next season too considering the young profile of the targets identified by Ineos. For the right price, Lukaku could be a shrewd signing this summer.

Isaac Johnson

An absolute non-starter. Lukaku had so much misfortune at Euro 2024 when it came to netting disallowed goals in the defeat to Slovakia but he was largely ineffective for the rest of Belgium’s games.

In fact, when it has come to recent crunch games - Belgium’s must-win final group stage clash against Croatia and Inter’s Champions League final defeat to Manchester City - he has come up short.

The 31-year-old floundered during his time at United and I would be surprised if he even wanted a return himself. And that’s not even mentioning his hefty price tag and his game time demands…

Josh Holland

Romelu Lukaku going back to Manchester United doesn't make any sense. Not only is he a different striker to what he was in his first spell at Old Trafford, he isn't the sort of profile they need to compete with Rasmus Hojlund.

Don't get me wrong, I love Lukaku and feel he's been so unfortunate in front of goal in recent years. However, United need to sign a young and hungry striker to challenge Hojlund, a potential bad egg in the camp.

I take on board the camp who want Lukaku back, as my colleague Jack states, an experienced older head could be beneficial in some parts. I just think the price tag, his wages and potential disaster it could cause isn't worth the risk.

Bruna Reis

At 31 years of age, a return to Old Trafford does not make any sense. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. are working hard behind the scenes to improve Manchester United and create a more rejuvenated squad and I believe that he isn't the player with the right profile to compete with Rasmus Hojlund.

A look at his performances for Belgium in the Euro 2024 shows how he has struggled to have the impact he would have hoped for and has come up short and missed chances. He has been ineffective and failed to be clinical in front of goal - that is not something United can afford to have in their team when they need to be scoring goals. Last season, the Belgian scored just 13 goals for AS Roma in Serie A.

While his future remains uncertain following his return to Stamford Bridge, I'm not so sure he would be open to a return to Manchester. With the hefty fee Chelsea are likely to demand for his services, United would be taking a huge risk and it could be one that might even not pay off if he fails to succeed. He has been there, done that and I believe that now is the right time for him to find a new club and start afresh.

Amie Wilson

Sometimes the saying 'never go back' doesn’t ring true, but I think it’s one that United should listen to in this case. It’s not like Lukaku is a fan favourite at Old Trafford with his first spell not really too successful.

While he has impressed in Italy, going back to something that has not already worked is not something that should happen. It’s not like he’d come at a cheap price either given the sort of fee that Chelsea would want.

He has been unlucky at this summer's Euros seeing a few goals chalked off by VAR, but he didn’t exactly set the world alight during the tournament. That should be a sign to United not to make a move.

There are far better options out there for Erik ten Hag this summer as he looks to strengthen his attacking line and provide competition to Rasmus Hojlund. Lukaku shouldn’t be even considered as one of those.

Tom Coley

The curious case of Romelu Lukaku. On paper he still scores goals and that is ultimately what most teams at the top level want. His movement is good, his finishing is erratic at times but when you sign Lukaku you get what you get.

To an extent, United could do with this. An older, experienced forward to support Hojlund and a young attack. But in reality, this isn't happening. Why would Lukaku return to Old Trafford, where he never felt loved?

That is a big thing for Lukaku, he wants the admiration and feeling of being part of a family. Despite his persona, he is still an 'arm around the shoulder' man. Plus, it's unlikely that the United crowd would take too kindly to Lukaku after his final season at the club.

He is not the sort of transfer that Ineos and Ratcliffe are going to be jumping at either. He's reached his peak (and is beyond it), would cost plenty in transfer fees and wages, plus doesn't have a resale value. The Lukaku ship has sailed.