As reported by The Daily Mail, Jose Mourinho has admitted he wants midfielder Mourane Fellaini to stay at the club beyond this season but doesn’t know whether the player will leave or not.
What’s the story?
Fellaini’s contract runs out at the end of the season and despite becoming a trusted member of Mourinho’s first team squad, still hasn’t pledged his long-term future to the Old Trafford outfit.
Mourinho has now opened up on his desire to keep him at the club, but the midfielder’s exit is effectively out of his hands, with the player yet to decide his future.
As quoted by The Daily Mail, the United boss said:
Is he going to stay or leave? I don’t know. I want him to stay, the club want him to stay. The process – negotiations, numbers, distances between the offer and what he wants – I really don’t know.
Losing the player would obviously be something of a blow to the Red Devils, but is the Belgian international replaceable?
How damaging would an exit be?
Fellaini has undoubtedly improved from his initial days at Manchester United, when fans would criticise him on a near weekly basis. This season he’s even received plaudits for his performances, finally becoming comfortable in his skin as a Manchester United player.
However, the fact remains that he’s only played 16 games in all competitions this term, with his campaign hitting the buffers due to injury.
His return over the next few weeks will be a benefit to the first team, but he isn’t irreplaceable and should he exit, it’d give United the chance to invest in an up-and-coming talent.
At 30 years of age, Fellaini is far from finished, but signing fresh blood could give the United midfield the boost it needs to unlock its full potential.
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