This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has expressed confidence that the team can cope without Romelu Lukaku following the striker's transfer to Inter Milan on transfer deadline day.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Solskjaer said that Lukaku's departure was inevitable, citing the striker's injury during pre-season as a factor in the decision.
'It was time now for Romelu Lukaku to go. I think we got a good deal and he is happy so I think both parties ended that deal as it should be,' Solskjaer said.
Despite Lukaku's impressive goal-scoring record, Solskjaer believes that the team has enough talent to challenge for a place in the top four, citing Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Daniel James as potential goal-scorers.
With Lukaku's departure, the door is now open for Alexis Sanchez to prove his worth after a miserable 18-month spell in Manchester.
Sanchez has been training with the team and Solskjaer believes that he will see this as an opportunity to make his mark.
On Sunday, Manchester United will face Chelsea in their Premier League opener, with Marcus Rashford expected to lead the attack.
