Manchester United have started the season strongly.
Romelu Lukaku, a summer signing from Everton, has settled immediately into his new surroundings – scoring eleven times and combining well with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial in Jose Mourinho’s attack.
The contribution of Lukaku’s countryman, Marouane Fellaini, has also helped United win six of their seven league matches to date. The Belgian midfielder, who has attracted criticism from some of the club’s supporters during his time at Old Trafford, scored twice in last weekend’s victory over Crystal Palace.
In the recent absence of the injured Paul Pogba, Fellaini has performed well in the United midfield, receiving praise from manager Mourinho on numerous occasions.
“He’s a very important player for me, much more important than what you can imagine,” Mourinho has said recently.
“I feel weaker without Fellaini in my squad, it doesn’t matter if he is in team or bench.”
With this in mind, it’s no surprise to learn that the United manager is keen for Fellaini to sign a new contract in Manchester. Despite this, it seems Fellaini is yet to be convinced that his long-term future lies with United.
A report from Duncan Castles for Yahoo suggests that Fellaini, who has entered the final 12 months of a five-year deal with United, is not keen to compromise on financial terms.
The former Everton player turns 30 next month and Castles makes clear that his next deal is likely to be the last substantial one of his career. If United aren’t willing or able to match his demands, he’s understood to be open to seeing what he might be offered elsewhere when he’s allowed to speak to other clubs in January.
2017/18 is Fellaini’s fifth season at Old Trafford. Few would have predicted that he would last so long after his indifferent start to his United career under old Everton boss David Moyes.
The fact that United are considering a sixth, seventh and possibly eight season for the Belgian is a testament to his dogged- and useful-ness.
