MANCHESTER: Marouane Fellaini admits he does not know if he will stay at Manchester United even if the club make him another contract offer.
Fellaini, who could leave Old Trafford for free in the summer, turned down an offer in September.The 30-year-old midfielder says he expects United to make another proposal but that his future is still up in the air.
He told Belgian publication Humo: “Honestly, I don’t know. I do have something in mind, but I cannot say anything about this yet.”He added: “If Manchester didn’t want me anymore, they would have told me. They made an offer and they will likely make me another one. Whether I will accept that I am not sure. Those things don’t happen overnight.”
Sources have told ESPN FC that United want Fellaini to stay, while manager Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his admiration for the Belgium international, branding him “very important” earlier this season.
But with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, he will be able to negotiate with foreign clubs from January 1.Asked if his stance could have a negative effect on his relationship with Mourinho, Fellaini said: “No, we talked about it. The manager is someone who respects his players’ decisions.”
He added: “This is my 10th season in England. Aside from my first experience at Manchester I only had good moments. Five years at Everton, five years at Manchester. I like the stability. It takes a couple of years before you build relationships. I know everyone by now — that is nice.”
Fellaini is currently sidelined with a knee injury he initially suffered playing for Belgium against Bosnia in October.He recovered to make four appearances in November but has since missed the last nine.
He said: “The inner ligaments were touched. One month later I played again, against Chelsea. But three weeks later, against Brighton, I felt pain again. I decided not to take the risk. I trained again, but not at 100 percent.”
