By Dave Marshall
Manchester United are currently exploring the option of extending the contract of Belgium midfielder, Marouane Fellaini as the player’s current deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of the current campaign. Fellaini has been an influential member of the first team this season, offering as quality backup to the likes of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba in the midfield and coming up with the goods when needed.
The player is free to discuss terms with foreign clubs from. January 1 as manager, Jose Mourinho has insisted that the player won’t be sold in the winter transfer window as he is a valuable part of the squad.
Manchester United fans are starting to appreciate the player who was derided for a number of years before the arrival of the Portuguese tactician. Fellaini was the headline signing of the ill-fated David Moyes era and was labelled a waste of money by club fans but in the last year has proved his worth to the cub with a series of committed performances and ability to offer something different when the chips are down.
The likes of Valencia, Fenerbache, Besiktas and Galatasaray have been linked to the former Everton man, but reports suggest that United want to make him an offer he probably can’t refuse.
According to report from Talksport, United want to invoke a 12-month extension clause in his contract he signed four years ago when he joined for £27m from Everton which will mean that should he decide to want to leave, he won’t be sold on a free transfer. Manager, Jose Mourinho likes Fellaini a lot as he claims the player will walk through brick walls for the team as well as give his all for the benefit of the team.
Despite the fans turning on him, Mourinho has always stood with the frilly haired player. Fellaini had been injured for a number of weeks before featuring in the last game away at Chelsea, a game which we lost 1-0 but with Fellaini changing the game when he came on during the second half.
The Belgium International is a player that can play anywhere in central midfield. He is adept at playing as a stationary defensive midfielder as well as playing further up where his threat of aerial strength can be utilised effectively. He has scored 19 goals in 142 appearances for United in four years and it will be a welcome sight for fans at The Theatre of Dreams to see the player strut his stuff at the club for more years.