Manchester United’s hierarchy are reportedly under growing pressure from manager Jose Mourinho to keep Marouane Fellaini at Old Trafford. The Belgium international has entered the final six months of his existing contract, and he is free to discuss personal terms with a club overseas.
According to The Telegraph, Mourinho is desperate to prolong Fellaini’s stay beyond the summer, and he has urged the board to do ‘everything within their power’ to convince the midfielder. Talks between Fellaini’s representative and United have not progressed since the failed approach in September, but United are expected to try again with Mourinho deeming Fellaini as an ‘important player’ in his squad.
£80,000-a-week player was an influential member during the opening weeks of the campaign, where he benefited from the absence of Paul Pogba with a hamstring problem. Just as he was getting a regular run of games, Fellaini found himself in the physio room with a knee sprain, which has hindered his gametime ever since.
The former Evertonian has earned just over 140 minutes of first-team action since October, and United are now keen on offering him an extension, though they may have to better the contract package on offer with the likes of Besiktas and Galatasaray.
Wellcome our new number SEVEN.