I do not regret picking Manchester United over Chelsea, says Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku says he is happy he elected to join Manchester United in the summer instead of returning to Chelsea.

The Belgium international completed a stunning £75m transfer from Everton in the summer when it appeared a foregone conclusion he would re-sign for Chelsea.

However, Antonio Conte’s side baulked over Mino Raiola’s agent fee demands and United swooped in to sign the 24-year-old over their Premier League rivals.

Alvaro Morata, who was widely expected to sign for United, instead moved to Chelsea from Real Madrid and both strikers endured contrasting afternoons when Jose Mourinho’s side beat Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday.

Lukaku has come in for strong criticism for his performances in big matches but the United No.9 was instrumental in the victory and afterwards insisted he made the right choice by moving to United.

“No, no, no,” Lukaku told the London Evening Standard when asked if he ever regretted not returning to Chelsea. “When I make a choice it’s with my head and my heart.

“It is what I wanted. A lot of big players that we recognise today in the game are ones that have won something. I want to be part of them.

“I have proved myself and you do expect more respect. But it’s the situation I’m in. I don’t listen to it. I want to show people what I can do on the pitch. I’ll just keep working hard. I have scored a lot this season and I just want to keep going. I know that I can improve and I want to improve.

“In what areas? Everything. I have a lot of years ahead of me to improve. I always want to keep getting better.”

Lukaku has scored 13 Premier League goals this season but his equaliser against Chelsea on Sunday was just the first against one of the current top-eight teams.