Romelu Lukaku joined Manchester United from Everton during the summer (Picture: Getty)

Antonio Conte dodged a bullet by signing Alvaro Morata instead of Romelu Lukaku as the new Manchester United striker is ‘not bright enough’ to play for Chelsea.

That is the opinion of Arsenal legend Paul Merson, who says former Real Madrid star Morata is a ‘better fit’ for the reigning champions than Lukaku.

Conte hoped to make Lukaku his first-choice striker earlier in the summer but the Belgian completed a sudden move to Old Trafford.

The Blues were therefore forced to focus on alternative targets and signed Morata from La Liga giants Real for £70m last month.

Lukaku impressed during United’s pre-season schedule but Merson fears the talisman would have struggled at Chelsea as he does not have the intelligence to play with Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas.

The Belgian cost United over £70million (Picture: Getty)

Writing in his column for the Daily Star, the former England forward said: ‘Alvaro Morata is a top player but how long will it take him to settle?

‘I don’t think Chelsea missed out on Romelu Lukaku. Morata is a better fit for them. But he’ll need time to adapt to English football.

‘Lukaku’s not bright enough to play with Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas. He needs the ball over the top, and he’ll get that at Manchester United.

‘But I still don’t think United have enough to open teams up. They don’t have enough guile.’

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Paul Merson believes Morata is a better fit for Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Morata is expected to make his Premier League debut for the reigning champions on Saturday when Conte’s side welcome Burnley to Stamford Bridge.

Lukaku, meanwhile, will hope to kick-start his United career when West Ham travel to Old Trafford on Sunday.

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