Fellaini staying at United

Even though he said he would announce his decision on July 1, Marouane Fellaini has agreed a new deal with Manchester United, according to The Times.

Manager Jose Mourinho achieved a ‘personal victory’ by convincing the club to offer Fellaini a contract extension. The Belgian has been criticized for his style of play and Mourinho has been criticized for insisting on keeping him at the club, but the fact remains that the central midfielder helped United turn quite a few games around since his arrival from Everton in 2013. He made 156 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions so far and scored 20 goals. His 6’4″ frame offers a focal point in attack when a more technical, on-ground approach fails to produce results, and Mourinho has often resorted to deploying Fellaini all the way up front.

The new contract will keep Fellaini at Old Trafford until 2020, and having signed Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk, the midfield section of United’s squad doesn’t look as bare as it threatened to with Fellaini’s future uncertain and the retirement of Michael Carrick.