By Dave Marshall
After looking set to leave Manchester United in the summer following the arrival of Serbian powerhouse Nemanja Matic, 29-year-old Belgium international, Marouane Fellaini is set to sign a new long-term contract at Old Trafford. The midfielder has stepped up in the absence of club record signing, Paul Pogba who got injured last month and was influential as United walloped Crystal Palace 4-0 last weekend, scoring twice in a more advanced position.
TransferMarketWeb posits that the player is set for a bumper pay rise as he is a trusted player of manager, Jose Mourinho who rates him highly for his work rate, loyalty and willingness to put everything on the line for the team. He has just a year left on his contract and was reportedly close to a move away from the club in the summer, as the likes of Fenerbahce and Galatasaray looked to sign him but Jose refused to sanction any deal as he claimed that the player, who is a divisive character among Old Trafford faithful is a crucial part of his plans going into this season.
As quoted by Goal, United legend, Ryan Giggs spoke to Sky Sports recently about the frilly-haired player. He said, “He’s a great lad to train because he does exactly what you want.
“Marouane Fellaini has really proved his importance, stepping in for Paul Pogba,” “I’ve worked with him and he’s a great lad to train because he does exactly what you want.
“He hasn’t let the fans bother him because he’s always had the support of the players and the coaches.” he added.
Marouane Fellaini wants a new deal having seen the bumper deals some of his teammates have gotten and he appears to have won over the Old Trafford crowd, who never took to him, given that he was the headline signing of the ill-fated David Moyes era.
If United don’t extend his contract, he will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from January.
