Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho fears that his midfielder Marouane Fellaini could leave the club on a free transfer next summer. The Belgian midfielder is out of contract next summer and the worry at the club is that his future is out of their control.
It was reported earlier in the summer that the Belgian rejected new terms offered by the Old Trafford club. There were reports that his agent even approached Italian club Juventus and offered his client, although the Serie A club rejected the chance of signing him.
After copping so much ridicule for being a symbol of David Moyes’ reign of failure, Fellaini got his United career back on track under Louis van Gaal. However, it was under Mourinho that his career actually took shape, making him one of the key players for the Red Devils.
However, Jose now feels that he has no control over where Fellaini will next end up at.
When asked about Fellaini’s situation, Mourinho replied (quoted by Goal):
“Yeah, I am [concerned Fellaini could leave]. It is a discussion between the player and the board.
“Discussions are under [the board’s] control. So I just wait, wishing that they will have an understanding but it’s out of my control.”
I think this is a situation that could have been avoided but is not yet at an alarming level. The Belgian midfielder has featured in 11 games in all competitions for United this season and has become a key player for Mourinho.
Had it not been for an injury, Fellaini could have played more matches especially when Paul Pogba was injured. That led to Mourinho even commenting that his team feels ‘weaker without Fellaini in the side’. Even during the peak of failures under Moyes, I never thought Fellaini was a reason for that. It was partly due to the transfer failures under Moyes that the Belgian became a subject of ridicule for the heavy transfer tag he commanded when arriving.
Struggling to live up to that number, Fellaini started his United career on the backfoot; that was until Mourinho arrived at the club. Fellaini got rid of the heavy transfer tag after Pogba came in and also gained the confidence of his manager.
What about his current situation? Fellaini is important for the squad but I don’t think he is indispensable. The likes of Scott McTominay are waiting in the wings and Jose will have options if the towering Belgian leaves. Fellaini’s departure may not be good but it won’t be the end of the world.
