Zlatan Ibrahimovic has slated former Manchester United teammate Romelu Lukaku over his lack of technique and poor first touch, though is certain will come good for Inter Milan.
The Swedish legend had a brief spell alongside Lukaku at Old Trafford before moving to MLS side LA Galaxy in January 2018, though the Belgium international’s time at the club ended just 18 months later.
And now Ibrahimovic has revealed that he offered to help Lukaku improve his touch and technique through a bet, but the 26-year-old foward declined.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Ibrahimovic said: ‘I will say this on Romelu: don’t expect good technique from Lukaku.
‘His best strength is sheer power. If only he’d listened to me… ‘At Manchester United, we made a bet: “I’ll give you £50 for every decent first touch you make.”
‘He replied: “What do I win if I get them all right?” I told him nothing, he would simply become a better player.
‘For the record, he never accepted the bet! Perhaps he was afraid of losing…
‘Joking aside, Lukaku has this mad hunger to prove himself to the world and I’m sure he will do well at Inter too.’
Ibrahimovic spent three years at Inter Milan over a decade ago, scoring 57 goals in Serie A, and Lukaku will fancy his chances of posting similar figures after scoring in three of his first seven games for his new club.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was keen to sell Lukaku after he made it clear he wanted to leave the club, while Sanchez followed soon after, though the Red Devils have been left short up front after Anthony Martial picked up an injury.
