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'I wouldn't have a problem with life in China': Out-of-contract Fellaini enjoying strong bargaining position

‘I had a second meeting (with Manchester United), but I won’t ask 10 times…’

MAROUANE FELLAINI SUGGESTS that Manchester United could pay the price for failing to renew his contract last year.

The Belgium international’s deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season and there has been no decisive breakthrough in talks with the club over an extension.

Fellaini, who has struggled for game time in 2017-18 largely due to a knee ligament injury, came off the bench to score the winner against Arsenal on Sunday, after which manager Jose Mourinho claimed an agreement over fresh terms was “almost there”.

The 30-year-old says he has not yet made a final decision, though, and has accused United of failing to resolve the contract dispute when they had more time on their side.

“The whole staff are doing everything for me to stay,” he told Sport/Voetbalmagazine.

The club didn’t renew my contract last year. Now, I’m in a strong position, especially since Mourinho has said he wants to keep me.

“Last year, I went to the coach and said I wanted a new contract. I then had a second meeting, but I won’t ask 10 times. Afterwards, I became important for the team…

“A good player costs at least €50 million. The club knows they went wrong there.

“If I don’t have physical problems, I will go to the World Cup. Afterwards, we’ll see. I haven’t made a decision yet.”

Fellaini has been linked with a free transfer to clubs in Europe, including Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Besiktas.

A move to the Chinese Super League has also been suggested and the former Everton man admits he could be tempted to head to Asia.

Manchester United v FC Rostov - UEFA Europa League - Round of Sixteen - Second Leg - Old Trafford Nick Potts Nick Potts

“I’m open to everything. I wouldn’t have a problem with life in China. I love to discover other places and other cultures. And I won’t go there alone. If I go, it’s with the family.

“I’m now 30 years old, at the end of a contract and negotiating with Manchester United. There are several clubs showing interest. I’m waiting for what will happen.”

When asked if he wanted a new challenge after nearly five years at Old Trafford, Fellaini added: “Maybe, but you can’t forget that I play at one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s going very well, I know my team-mates and the staff perfectly, everyone respects me. Why should I change?

“But it doesn’t make any sense to anticipate things. I’m very comfortable at the moment.”

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    Mute Conor Glancy
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    Aug 30th 2020, 9:15 AM

    Great article. I’m sure some of the unions will snap him up

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Aug 30th 2020, 10:02 AM

    The IRFU should be hiring him, we’re badly in need of a top level ref.

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    Mute TL55
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    Aug 30th 2020, 10:45 AM

    @Jim Demps: Absolutely Jim some of the refs in the PRO14 over the last few years have been poor enough.

    Doyle is certainly better than most of them imo.

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    Mute That Ray Browers Kid
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    Aug 30th 2020, 8:05 PM

    @TL55: Since John Lacey stepped away we have been crying out for a top referee. Frank Murphy and Andrew Brace have a good bit to go to be considered top quality refs. I’m not a fan of George Clancy either but I thought he did a top notch job in the Leinster v Ulster game.

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    Mute baw baw
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    Aug 30th 2020, 10:57 AM

    To think ben whitehouse is still reffing international games and pro 14 games

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    Mute Baz
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    Aug 30th 2020, 9:19 AM

    So much of good refereeing is in the communication to the players-in almost all sports and Doyle was good in that regard. I remember him reffing a Japan and Ireland senior game couple of years back which I couldn’t believe at the time but he didn’t do anything untoward and hopefully for him he’ll be back into the swing of things somewhere asap

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    Mute Eileesh Buckley
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    Aug 30th 2020, 10:40 PM

    @Baz: Alain Rolland regularly reffed France because he was registered as an Irish ref, there was also a Nordie ref registered as Scottish though he never popped up as a ref at men’s international level. The Scottish union could do a lot worse than hiring Doyle as they haven’t had an international level men’s XVs ref for yonks. Their best ref works the 7s series and some of the women’s tournaments, I think I’ve only seen him do maybe one pro14 game.

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    Mute richie mellotte
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    Aug 30th 2020, 3:24 PM

    He’s a sound man, JP.
    Hopefully he can stay in Rugby fulltime.

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    Mute Daragh Curtis
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    Aug 30th 2020, 12:46 PM

    But what actually is a Gowl ?

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    Mute Cian Nolan
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    Aug 30th 2020, 1:29 PM

    @Daragh Curtis: An old wooden ship from the American civil war era.

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    Mute Pseud O'Nym
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    Aug 30th 2020, 1:47 PM

    @Cian Nolan: perhaps, but I don’t think this was what POM was referring to.
    It’s a word for the female genitalia, interestingly enough (from yesterday’s Irish Times) from the Irish word gabhal meaning crotch. Gabhal mná apparently is the full version.

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    Mute Decko49
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    Aug 30th 2020, 1:51 PM

    @Daragh Curtis: Robb Stark is one. You’re welcome

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    Mute Pseud O'Nym
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    Aug 30th 2020, 2:55 PM

    @Decko49: nailed it!

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    Mute That Ray Browers Kid
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    Aug 30th 2020, 8:06 PM

    @Daragh Curtis: A gowl is essentially what the “C-word” is everywhere else.

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