Manchester United fans weren’t overly upset to see Romelu Lukaku leave Old Trafford for Inter Milan last summer.

The Belgian striker was heavily criticised by United supporters - especially those on social media - during his second and final season as a Red Devil.

Lukaku scored 27 goals in 51 games during his debut campaign at the Theatre of Dreams but only managed to net 15 in 45 during the 2018-19 campaign.

However, United fans would have been a lot more bothered about Lukaku leaving if they knew he wouldn’t be replaced.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer went into the season with just three recognised forwards: Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood.

With Rashford out injured, the inconsistent Martial underwhelming and 18-year-old Greenwood still learning his trade, Solskjaer and Ed Woodward were forced to do a last-minute deal on deadline day for former Watford striker Odion Ighalo, who has signed for United until the end of the season.

While United fans are right behind the Nigerian striker and hope he surprises, they are also frustrated after missing out on Erling Haaland or a striker of similar quality.

Haaland, it’s worth noting, has scored eight goals in his first four appearances for Borussia Dortmund.

According to The Times, though, United now realise they made a mistake by not replacing Lukaku when he departed for Inter Milan.

They plan to recruit a forward in the summer - ‘Hallelujah!’, you can hear United fans cry - and are ‘assessing a number of options’ after missing out on Haaland.

One of the players on their shortlist is Inter’s Lautaro Martinez.

The 22-year-old has scored 16 goals in 27 games for the Nerazzurri this season and is widely regarded as one of the best young forwards in Europe.

However, Martinez will not be moving to Old Trafford this summer. Why? Because Man Utd don’t think he’s worth the £94 million that Inter are asking for.

Martinez - who is also on the radar of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona - has a £94 million release clause in his contract and Inter are not prepared to accept any less.

This means that, like with Haaland, United will miss out on another brilliant young forward because they aren’t prepared to splash the cash.