Belgium boss Roberto Martinez claims that Romelu Lukaku was underappreciated in England after the striker ended his miserable stint in Manchester for a fresh start at Inter Milan.

The striker scored 27 goals in his debut season after a big-money move to United but followed it by netting just 15 times last campaign.

He was also criticised for a perceived lack of fitness as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tried to implement a high press and quick tempo style of play at Old Trafford. Ultimately, Lukaku was sent to Inter for a fee of £74 million.

But Martinez believes the 26-year-old, who has scored 48 goals in 81 games for his country, should be valued for his strengths rather than the focus being on his weaknesses.

“Romelu hasn’t been appreciated for most of the time he’s been in the British game,” Martinez told the Daily Mail.

“And the reason is very clear. Everyone analyses what he hasn’t got as a number nine. Everyone wants to tell him the first touch should be better, that he should be stronger in the air, that he needs to make more room.

“But what they miss is his outstanding trade as a goalscorer. Look at his stats. He is one of the most significant scorers at his age.

“Like any player, if you are going to highlight the things they don’t do well, you wouldn’t get the feeling of a good player.

“But in Romelu’s case, he’s always been a top goalscorer.”