Former Manchester United centre-back Gary Pallister has blasted "disrespectful" Romelu Lukaku for recently talking up a future move to Serie A.

Lukaku, 25, recently claimed that he 'hoped' to play in the Italian top flight at some point during his career.

The Belgium international has struck 31 times in all competitions for United since a 2017 move from Everton but has not scored in his last three Premier League appearances.

Pallister, who represented the Red Devils between 1989 and 1998, has blasted the centre-forward for making such comments during a time where United are "under real pressure".

"I think it's disrespectful at times if you start mentioning other clubs when you're actually contracted to the club you're at," Pallister told 888sport. "If it's in your mind I've got no problem with that but to put it in print I've got a problem with that.

"At a time when a club is under real pressure to have their leading goalscorer say he'd like to move abroad - if that's what he has done - is not the ideal scenario."

United will travel to Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.