A bust-up involving Romelu Lukaku and assistant Mike Phelan allegedly led to Manchester United wishing to sell the striker this summer.
After two months of speculation regarding his future, Lukaku finally sealed a transfer to Inter Milan on Thursday afternoon for a fee in the region of £73m.
However, according to The Sun, United were intent on parting ways with the Belgium international ever since their pre-season tour of Asia in July.
The report claims that Lukaku missed the team bus ahead of the friendly with Tottenham Hotspur, with Phelan informing the driver to leave without the 25-year-old.
The decision is said to have angered Lukaku, leading to Phelan to question the player's professionalism at a time when there were constant reports about whether he would remain at Old Trafford.
Despite the call coming weeks ago, United did not bring in a like-for-like replacement for Lukaku, who contributed 42 goals across two campaigns.
Darren Plant
