Marouane Fellaini could be on his way out of Old Trafford.
A player who has been often used as the scapegoat when things go south, Fellaini was David Moyes’ marquee signing when the former Everton boss replaced Sir Alex Ferguson. But he was never able to settle, and couldn’t live up to the lofty expectations on his shoulders.
Fellaini found a way to remain with the team, though. Both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho used him regularly. But it’s clear he has lost some of the qualities that made him important in the first half.
Furthermore, the soon-to-be-announced deal for Nemanja Matic would put the writing on the wall for Fellaini. And with that scenario, the 29-year-old midfielder could leave the side before the end of the transfer window. There is already a team that expressed a clear intention to sign him.
Belgian Tower On His Way Out?
And according to Galatarasay’s sporting director Cenk Ergun, Fellaini could find a new home in Turkey. During an interview with Turkish news outlet Ajansspor on Saturday, Ergun said the Belgian is on his way out of Old Trafford.
“Fellaini will leave Manchester United and he is now in our radar. There will be surprises, we are in talks with Fellaini. We have made an approach, we are close and if we get Fellaini we will end our pursuit of [Villarreal’s Alfred] N’Diaye. We need a player like him who can move around in midfield,” he said.
Despite the rumours, sources have told ESPN FC that United have yet to receive a formal offer for the 29-year-old.
Should United Let Him Go?
Should United part ways with him, though? Despite all the criticism around him, Fellaini always seems to earn the manager’s trust. And he has a few traits that remain useful at United. He can win aerial duels, and he is a physical presence in the middle of the pitch. A player with those traits is vital in the English Premier League.
On the other hand, Fellaini is clearly behind Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, and Michael Carrick on the CM depth chart. Matic would push him even further down the pecking order. And we are not considering the usage of young players such as Axel Tuanzebe or Andreas Pereira instead of him.
Fellaini made 47 appearances for United last season and signed a new one-year contract in January that keeps him at the club until next summer. The Belgian has 15 goals in all competitions, though he scored just once in each of the past two Premier League seasons.
Only time will tell if Fellaini ends up leaving or staying. But the rumour is out there, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him leave before the EPL season starts in around two weeks.
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