Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini has thanked Jose Mourinho for his “faith” after signing a new two-year contract at Manchester United.
I am pleased to be continuing my journey as a Manchester United player. I made this decision because I am very happy here. Also, I feel like this team, under Jose, still has a lot we want to achieve. I would like to say a special thank you to Jose for the faith he has always.. pic.twitter.com/OVlogjmtJW
— Marouane Fellaini (@Fellaini) June 29, 2018
The 30-year-old, whose previous deal was due to expire this weekend, had been expected to leave Old Trafford.
But, manager Mourinho said he wanted to keep Fellaini and the club spend the past few months trying to persuade him to stay.
“I made this decision because I am very happy here,” said Fellaini.
“I feel like this team, under Jose, still has a lot we want to achieve. I would like to say a special thank you to Jose for the faith he has always shown in me.”
Fellaini has scored 20 goals in 156 appearances for United since his £27 million move from Everton in 2013.
His new contract also gives the option for a further season.
“I am very happy Marouane is staying with us,” said Mourinho. “I always believed in his desire to stay with the club and I am delighted that he has signed a new contract.”
Here is how some United supporters reacted to the news via Twitter.
Just the 731 days until Marouane Fellaini’s contract expires…
— The Peoples Person (@PeoplesPerson_) June 29, 2018
How the fuck did Marouane Fellaini hold Manchester United to ransom for a better contract? What alternative universe is this?
— Al Foran (@ImpressionistAL) June 29, 2018
How the fuck did Marouane Fellaini hold Manchester United to ransom for a better contract? What alternative universe is this?
— Al Foran (@ImpressionistAL) June 29, 2018
Fellaini staying at my club pic.twitter.com/LSPlDAgIVq
— K🇳🇬🇸🇳 (@Aldeen_Raji) June 29, 2018
United have more pressing concerns than Fellaini staying. I’d have preferred somebody else to come in and him to leave but it wasn’t to be. He’s scored some important goals for us and will probably continue to be a plan B, and that’s that. But we do need a starting LB, CB and RW.
— Dan (@dannyh9623) June 29, 2018
Fellaini was meant to be leaving this weekend not signing a contract to keep him an extra 2 years, a total of 7years with this clown pic.twitter.com/fDgkOcKTgl
— GrandMasterNatz (@NatzReloaded) June 29, 2018
Marouane Fellaini is not f***ing leaving #mufc pic.twitter.com/1TvtE1e8QK
— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) June 29, 2018
Manchester United’s season does not rest on Marouane Fellaini staying on. It’s what signings now come in after this and how several players already here need to have much, much better seasons than last.
— Barney @Red News (@barneyrednews) June 29, 2018
Cannot get my head around the Fellaini extension. A limited player and a half decent Plan B, who somehow managed to play the club into this. Probably stops the arrival of a better player and suggests United’s style won’t change. Ridiculous, all told.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) June 29, 2018