Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 'It was time now for Lukaku to go'

Lukaku joined Inter Milan in a deal worth a reported 80 million euros Credit: PA

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes it was the right time for Romelu Lukaku to leave Manchester United. The 26-year-old ended his two-season stint at Old Trafford on Thursday, joining Inter Milan in an 80 million euros (£73.75million) deal.

Lukaku's exit became rather unsavoury as he started the week training with boyhood club Anderlecht and Solskjaer is happy to see the striker leave.

"It was time now for Rom to go because I think we got a good deal, he's happy, so I think both parties ended that deal as it should be," he said.

"Rom was injured for a while this pre-season, he didn't participate, so I just hope for him that he'll get a good start at Inter Milan."

Solskjaer is confident United's attack will do well despite losing the option of a regular goalscorer.

"Towards the end of last season, we didn't score a lot of goals, did we?" he said.

"And you do have players that you think will have an impact and Mason Greenwood's pathway would have been a lot more difficult, of course if we had another forward there.

"For me, I believe Mason is going to be playing and involved a lot and when he is, he'll score goals."

While Lukaku followed Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia in making summer exits, only Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James arrived.

PA understands Solskjaer was also looking to improve in central midfield and on the right wing, but the United manager seemed happy enough.

"Do you know, I think when the transfer window closes it's that great feeling of relief," the Norwegian said ahead of Sunday's match against Chelsea.

"Now it's done, now we know we're looking forward with and I'm delighted with the three we've signed.

"Well, that's (negativity) not the feeling inside the club anyway and the feeling with the fans I've met, they are excited with the ones we've had.

"Of course, there is always going to be fans out there wanting to sign players. That's just part and parcel of being here. The players are here now, they've been shown that trust and we believe in them."