Former Everton director of football Steve Walsh has revealed he warned Jose Mourinho about Romelu Lukaku’s attitude following his move to Manchester United, describing the forward as a ‘big baby’.
The Belgian international enjoyed a prolific spell on Merseyside with Everton, scoring 87 goals in just 166 appearances, prompting former Man United manager Mourinho to bring Lukaku to Old Trafford in a £75m deal in 2017.
Despite enjoying a decent goal record during his two season stay at the club, Lukaku failed to establish himself as a key figure and left for Inter Milan this past summer, with Walsh now revealing he pre-warned United about the 26-year-old’s mentality following the switch.
“When Jose signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton, I remember saying to him, ‘You have to be careful with Lukaku. He is a big baby, you know,’” Walsh told The Athletic.
“He said he could handle him. I don’t think he really got Lukaku on-side mentally, which you have to do.
“That is the case with him and Paul Pogba. They aren’t my type of players. They are more about themselves than the team. I wouldn’t have touched them. Because they are good players doesn’t mean you are going to get a good team out of it.”
Read: Manchester United make Haaland ‘enquiry’
See Also: Moise Kean ‘not feeling good at Everton’ according to his father
