After signing for Manchester United, Romelu Lukaku has spoken to ESPN about the reasons why he signed for the club. While more cynical areas of the press or bitter Chelsea fans have claimed that his agent, Mina Raiola, made the decision for him, Lukaku reveals it’s his desire to play for Jose Mourinho that has brought him to Old Trafford.

[Mourinho is] a guy who I wanted to play for since I was 10 years old, so now to have the opportunity to work under him again is great. We’ve been in contact. He explained to me how the club was like, what he expects from me.

You know, we were together under different circumstances. Obviously, the first time when I met him, I was still a young kid, and I was eager to play. And he understood my decision why I left at the time. I returned on the pitch.

Now I’m 24. I’m a grown man. He sees the maturity that has grown throughout the years, so I’m really thankful for the opportunity he gave me again.

For me, I think it’s the perfect opportunity. I’m 24. I never won a major trophy, but I’m eager to win something and to be part of a team that wins trophies, and I think he’s the right guy to help me in that.