career if he leaves Everton for Manchester United,
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has said.
Lukaku's time on Merseyside looks set to come to
an end after the Belgium striker refused to sign a
new contract at Goodison Park, with his current
deal still having two years left to run.
Former club Chelsea have been linked with a move
to bring Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge, while
United are reportedly looking at their striker options
after Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered a serious knee
injury in the Europa League tie against Anderlecht.
A move to Old Trafford would see Lukaku reunited
with Jose Mourinho, who sold him to Everton while
manager of Chelsea, but Koeman aimed firing
shots at the Red Devils and claimed Lukaku will
not fulfil his wish of playing Champions League
football at United.
"I cannot see Manchester United finishing in the
top four. Zlatan's injury looks bad and when I look
at the amount of matches they are having to play
this season I can see them missing the top four,"
Koeman said.
"I have not been impressed by the way they play.
"They are struggling to decide matches. With
Everton we drew twice against United this season
and both times there was more in it for us.
"The Europa League is a different calibre than the
Champions League. The fact that Man United were
struggling to beat a team like Anderlecht proves
what kind of season the club is having."
Despite Lukaku, who has 24 Premier League goals
this season, having seemingly made his mind up
over a move away from Merseyside, Koeman
insists Everton are under no pressure to sell.
"Everton now have the resources to keep every
player, including Lukaku, who has a contract for
another two years," he added.
"I am talking to the owners every week. We want to
make the next step with this club towards a higher
level.
"A lot is possible here and we want to bring in the
best players we can get, players who will help us
to play for a place in the Champions League.
"For next season we need a bigger squad anyway
as we will be in Europe again. But keeping our best
players is a prime target for me. We are doing
everything we can to hold on to top players.
"I have been there as a player too. I know what it is
like when a player has big ambitions.
"But if we really want, we can make the players
stick to their contract. That decision will eventually
be made by the board."
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