Jose Mourinho admits he is powerless to stop Marouane Fellaini leaving Manchester United

[kundalini]

So far non of us knows if this is first hands quotes or maybe something went missing in translation. I’m sceptical until I see some clarification or some context.

Secondly. If his quotes are correct what’s wrong with his comments? He’s in a good position and his value has increase the last two years. Why shouldn’t he asking for a pay rise on his last big contract negotiation and I perfectly understands that he wants a two year contract, especially when the manager says he’s useful to the club.

Don’t only blame the player for this situation, the club also has some responsibility.

During Fellaini's time at United, we have finished 7th, 4th, 5th, 6th and look on course for 2nd this season. Those were his prime years as a footballer. He will be 31 in November. Some players continue to perform at a decent level at 32, even 33 but very few perform better than they did in their mid to late 20s.

We also won the FA Cup, Europa League and League Cup. Fellaini's contribution towards our League Cup win was 4 substitute appearances, 30 mins in total, scoring one goal. His contribution towards the other two was far more significant.

Fellaini's goal threat is on average a goal in the PL every 500 mins for United. A goal or assist every 410 mins. In all competitions a goal every 450 mins, a goal or assist every 300 mins. Compare those figures to Herrera who has also been used in a variety of midfield roles, in the PL a goal every 700 mins, a goal or assist every 300 mins (a bit less). In all competitions, a goal every 600 mins, a goal or assist every 250 mins. Herrera's figures include at least one penalty.

If we gave McTominay all the mins Fellaini got when both weren't on the pitch at the same time, then we would gain financially, money we could put towards genuine priorities, defensively there's not a great deal between them, both are useful winning headers in our box, follow instructions, both are safe passers, McTominay slightly more adventurous, Fellaini far superior as a threat in the opposing box. So adjust to using McTominay in those situations in which we are looking to shut down the game, and find a different option when needing a goal. McTominay's basic salary is less than £1m a year, though it will rise gradually once he reaches certain appearance benchmarks.

Fellaini can ask for whatever he wants. United would be unwise to offer him much more than a basic salary (£2m say) plus an appearance bonus of £10K per start. If Fellaini isn't a cheap option, then it is ridiculous to keep him around. We can easily replace Carrick + Fellaini, with one player. We might even get away with replacing both by giving more time to Herrera and McTominay, then using Andreas Pereira in extreme situations.

This isn't just aimed at Fellaini, it is true for all the players who joined in the Moyes/LVG era, are coming towards the end of their prime years as a player and have deals that will run out in 2019. Mata is the obvious example of a player being paid far too much relative to his current contribution, so any new contract should be on a much lower salary.

 

[davidmichael]

For me personally it just adds even more to me not wanting Fellaini anywhere near us, I’ve long said that he is NOT ANYWHERE near good enough to play for us and it baffles me that they’re people who want him to actually stay simply because he’s a handful at times due to his size which goes to show how backwards we’ve gone if Fellaini is accepted as a Manchester United player.

He’s nowhere near Pogba, Matic or Herrera as a player and I’d take all of Fosu-Mensah, McTominay and Pereira over Fellaini in midfield too and that isn’t even including the fact we were most likely in for a quality central midfielder in the summer anyway with Carrick retiring so it’s not as if we’d be weak in that position by the time next season arrives anyway regardless of that cnut Fellaini.

 

[Gbenger]

I don’t blame him. It’s Mourinho fault entirely that he’s acting like this.

 

[JB08]

What a boring 'saga', if you can call it that. He's hardly a great player, who cares if he leaves.

 

[beergod]

This is probably the last big payday of his career, can't blame him for not signing a club friendly extension. However, I can blame him for being dopey on the PR front. It's in everyone's interests to move on. Squad players don't get multiyear extensions at his age and it wouldn't be a good habit to start handing them out.

 

[Silas]

Mourinho's deluded him. Fair enough for looking out for yourself, but why take this to the public?

I don't like how this is the third occasion of the board neglecting/stalling contract negotiations, though. De Gea's not happy with it, Martial's basically on the verge of leaving after we waited so long and now Fellaini's mentioning how we ignored him initially. This instance is pretty minor considering the player in question, but I'd prefer we didn't risk doing it with players that were important to us.

 

[Ekeke]

Stop being dim I am talking about his entire career here since the day he joined from Everton.

Again, very weird time to be boo hooing.

 

[Mike Schatner]

I don't mind if Fellaini stays and don't care if he leaves. He is a decent squad player that contributes when called up on. At this stay I would rather see McTominay and maybe Pereira given more chances.

 

[cyril C]

Time to move on. Useful squad player but can easily be replaced by others. I would rather we go for a DMF to back up Matic and a B2B MF to backup Herrera.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

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Who does this guy think he is. Mourinho being Mourinho gassing him up has gone right to his head. Why are we begging him ffs

Are these quotes for real?

 

[amolbhatia50k]

We need to get a grip here. This fellow is that worst case scenario route a good football team takes when things aren't going it's way. Now, I'd rather us improve our ability to make things go our way and confidence to do so than chase the 'it's gone tits up' kind of player. But even if we are, can we be less desperate about it? It's one thing keeping someone who generally isn't good enough for your club but another to beg/chace/convince him.

I'd rather the club sign more technically accomplished midfielder anyway.

 

[SatoshiStacker]

Those quotes are as if Fellaini is negotiating his contract without an agent and just going one on one with Mourinho in the office.

 

[RedPnutz]

Love they way people are using this thread to bash Mourinho as well. Someone actually said that he wouldn't be surprised if Mourinho was the one who instigated such behaviour from Fellaini to force the club's hand. How stupid and irrationally biased can fans get?

Entirely ridiculous the hatred for Mourinho.

As for Fellaini, he is a useful player at times and obviously we can get better players, just a matter of priorities. The quotes don't help him at all. However, given this is the last paycheck and the amount of shit he gets from his own club supporters, i think it is entirely reasonable for him to push the envelope. What's he gotta lose?

 

[Kapardin]

His haters can relax. He is speaking openly like this because he clearly has no intention of staying.

Of course, he does seem to have an inflated sense of his importance, but that is partly brought on by the fact that he was unfairly targeted by supporters when he has actually done as well as he could and was instrumental in our 3 cup wins under LvG and Mourinho. Understandeable, he has been a good professional, so no bitterness over his comments.

 

[Castia]

Let him go, fecking awful player 90% of the time.

160k a week sub that gets thrown on so we can pump the high balls into the box? Feck off.

 

[The Man Himself]

I am happy with Fellaini's views and comments s it means he is more likely to leave than stay. I know he is an effective plan B or C, but we need to move on from players like Fellaini and build squad with players who can contribute more consistently in maintaining tempo and controlling midfield and bring that extra quality.

 

[LLMU]

He can always leave as he is open to negotiate with any clubs now but it somehow baffles me that if we really want him to stay, wouldn't that be sorted out last summer.or late last year .

 

[prath92]

United would be unwise to offer him much more than a basic salary (£2m say) plus an appearance bonus of £10K per start

What a stupid post.That’s 40k per week.

 

[Sunny Jim]

His haters can relax. He is speaking openly like this because he clearly has no intention of staying.

Of course, he does seem to have an inflated sense of his importance, but that is partly brought on by the fact that he was unfairly targeted by supporters when he has actually done as well as he could and was instrumental in our 3 cup wins under LvG and Mourinho. Understandeable, he has been a good professional, so no bitterness over his comments.

Haters? You mean people who value him accordingly?

 

[Treble]

He isn't worth big wages. Obviously.

 

[JohnnyKills]

During Fellaini's time at United, we have finished 7th, 4th, 5th, 6th and look on course for 2nd this season. Those were his prime years as a footballer. He will be 31 in November. Some players continue to perform at a decent level at 32, even 33 but very few perform better than they did in their mid to late 20s.

We also won the FA Cup, Europa League and League Cup. Fellaini's contribution towards our League Cup win was 4 substitute appearances, 30 mins in total, scoring one goal. His contribution towards the other two was far more significant.

Fellaini's goal threat is on average a goal in the PL every 500 mins for United. A goal or assist every 410 mins. In all competitions a goal every 450 mins, a goal or assist every 300 mins. Compare those figures to Herrera who has also been used in a variety of midfield roles, in the PL a goal every 700 mins, a goal or assist every 300 mins (a bit less). In all competitions, a goal every 600 mins, a goal or assist every 250 mins. Herrera's figures include at least one penalty.

If we gave McTominay all the mins Fellaini got when both weren't on the pitch at the same time, then we would gain financially, money we could put towards genuine priorities, defensively there's not a great deal between them, both are useful winning headers in our box, follow instructions, both are safe passers, McTominay slightly more adventurous, Fellaini far superior as a threat in the opposing box. So adjust to using McTominay in those situations in which we are looking to shut down the game, and find a different option when needing a goal. McTominay's basic salary is less than £1m a year, though it will rise gradually once he reaches certain appearance benchmarks.

Fellaini can ask for whatever he wants. United would be unwise to offer him much more than a basic salary (£2m say) plus an appearance bonus of £10K per start. If Fellaini isn't a cheap option, then it is ridiculous to keep him around. We can easily replace Carrick + Fellaini, with one player. We might even get away with replacing both by giving more time to Herrera and McTominay, then using Andreas Pereira in extreme situations.

This isn't just aimed at Fellaini, it is true for all the players who joined in the Moyes/LVG era, are coming towards the end of their prime years as a player and have deals that will run out in 2019. Mata is the obvious example of a player being paid far too much relative to his current contribution, so any new contract should be on a much lower salary.

Great post.

 

[JohnnyKills]

Let him go, fecking awful player 90% of the time.

160k a week sub that gets thrown on so we can pump the high balls into the box? Feck off.

Yeah this is my view as well.

Fergie used to launch long balls into the box when we were desperate. But that was a last resort, to be used only when all other options had failed.

Mourinho uses it as a tactic in itself and, unlike Fergie, he actually has a specialist in that role, a player whose main job is to come on and win long balls for him.

Can you imagine any other elite club having a dedicated hoofball target man in their squad? A player whose key skill was knocking down balls punted from the back?

We're not going to take the next step as a team until we stop using the 'Fellaini plan' and we need to make that leap asap.

 

[beedoubleyou]

Oh just feck of Big Fella. If we need you to score against Arsenal's reserves at home next year, there are bigger problems at the club... Figuratively of course

 

[Marcky411]

I am glad Jose is powerless to stop Fellaini leaving, id it was up to him Fellaini would get a 5 year contract. At least if Fellaini leaves we might get to see less hoofball and endless lumping crosses into the box.
Please let him go and if Jose feels so strongly about Fellaini he may leave with him.

 

[RoyH1]

What a boring 'saga', if you can call it that. He's hardly a great player, who cares if he leaves.

I feel like you do. We United fans are loyal to a fault, even to players who are meh at best. We can have better and more talented players in our midfield.

 

[foolsgold]

If he thinks he's a 50m player then he's deluded. I'd rather have McTominay in the team.

Should have sold him last year, wouldn't give him a new contract now

 

[GBBQ]

I can see us agreeing to 160K for him. A 3 year contract works out just shy of 25 mil (assuming he stays the length of the contract). That wouldn't buy you a whole lot in today's market (and wages on top of that) and he is a decent back up option to have. Fellaini resigned and a world class midfielder brought in and i think we'd be doing ok.

 

[stevoc]

I am happy with Fellaini's views and comments s it means he is more likely to leave than stay. I know he is an effective plan B or C, but we need to move on from players like Fellaini and build squad with players who can contribute more consistently in maintaining tempo and controlling midfield and bring that extra quality.

The truth is he actually isn't, he is a good player with attributes that can be useful. But using him as a means to try to turn a game around just isn't that effective.

He's much more useful at defending leads with defensive headers than he is at clawing a game back in the opposition box.

 

[fallengt]

Can we just move away from him please... I know he's an option on the bench but it it's been like 5 years. The team play dinosaur football every time we have him on the field, the idea bores me to death I don't know why every fecking managers still want to try it.

Plan B? feck plan B. How about focus on building a consistent plan A instead like every football club should do.

 

[Ciddy]

He's obviously a handy option to have late game, but I think knowing that we have that option is painting over cracks elsewhere. I would much prefer us to not have to use him as an option and get back to playing better football. I'd much rather see us spend money on better options and put games to bed before we need to use him.

 

[The Red Thinker]

He's a good squad option. A big man with the ability to score big goals with the old route 1. But, that's about it. If we are trying to aspire to be the best team in England and we want to be able to beat the likes of City, Liverpool and Barca, then we should be in a place where Fellaini shouldn't be a priority. We should be winning without him.

He's worth 10% more than what he earns already. That's it. If the quotes are real, Bye Felli.

 

[Ikon]

Let him go, fecking awful player 90% of the time.
160k a week sub that gets thrown on so we can pump the high balls into the box? Feck off.

^^Nail on the Head^^
Even I have to admit that there have been occasions when the introduction of Fellaini has swung things in our favour, BUT we really should be finding solutions by playing better, more expansive football, rather than hoofing it into the box for the big fella with the flailing elbows to make a nuisance of himself.
We really should be offering better than this as a last resort.

 

[borrays]

Regardless of his subjective quality, he's improved since he got that contract and he's played/appeared in something like 85% of our matches this season.

I don't actually mind paying players well who regularly turn out. Fellaini has barely featured this year and his appearances have been as a sub something like 75% of the time. You don't pay good money for that.

Jesse has improved alright but like Fellaini he's still not united's quality and had the big afro not get injured for most of this season, he would've played more.

The only reason he's a first teamer is because he's the best player in his position in the squad... Surely that's the same with every player?

According to Whoscored Lingard has started 14 games from the number 10 position, compared with 5 from the right wing position. Therefore your implication that a lack of competition is the reason he's playing regularly is way wide of the mark.

To be candid though I've been a huge critic of Lingard in the past, but this season he's proven that he's a very, very good player, particularly for the system we employ. He's been a key part of our high press game that has been key to our best performances this season. He's our Firmino in my view.

what do you mean by lack of competition? i said he's improved and performed better on the right wing bcause when Jose switched to 4-3-3 formation, no other players (Mata, Martial, Rashford) could performed as decent as he is on that position, but once we signed a proper right winger surely Lingard will go to bench? bcause just like Fellaini i see him as squad option, not a starter.

I doubt we could spend that every summer, but we've been spending £150 or there about every summer for the last few years. So spending more in one summer is definitely possible. We would have got close to £200m last summer if we had tied the Perisic deal up.

the reason why Perisic's transfer never materialized was bcause we tried to low-bidding Inter. clearly the club had set the cap on budget for our managers regardless of what Woody said, and i'll say again that i wont moan about it because 150 mil pounds transfer budget for a season is quite excessive for any big clubs just unfortunate that the price for good footballers have gone over the roof recently.

If United are going the same level as City and PSG in spending ratio to revenue, United can outspend them 250+m net spend easily. United only can get 3 players or so because of EPL's policy on wage bill growth cap, if we are not keen on adding world class we need to pay their wage so high like 200K+, for 200K, we could get two players on 100K each. We had plenty of money in transfers budget for Griezmann and Perisic that we believe valued to be less than 40m, but we didn't succeed it so we brought Sanchez, rest of wage we would pay for Griezman and Perisic to Sanchez. Zlatan, Carrick all left United freed more spaces for wage bill cap, maybe with Darmain, Shaw, Blind, Fellaini and one of centre-back departure so it would free more space for new players to join.

if we spent the same ratio in 2014, it's over 200m net spending, we are allowed to get many players because many of our ageing and player that don't suit LVG's system left us in 2014 in summer.

source? we offload Rooney earlier this season so certainly it should not be problem, no?

 

[Suedesi]

Can this mopehead feck off from my club please?

 

[stevoc]

the reason why Perisic's transfer never materialized was bcause we tried to low-bidding Inter. clearly the club had set the cap on budget for our managers regardless of what Woody said, and i'll say again that i wont moan about it because 150 mil pounds transfer budget for a season is quite excessive for any big clubs just unfortunate that the price for good footballers have gone over the roof recently.

Well yeah maybe but i think it was more not wanting to be overcharged everytime we are interested in a player. And Inter were trying to add United tax on to the Perisic fee. We had already spent £150m, as i said Perisic would have brought it close to £200m. I think the club have no problem going to that level and beyond for the right players.

Perisic just wasn't a player we wanted to go all out for, if we overpay for him theres a bigger chance we have to overpay for someone else. I think Woodward is learning in that regard because he has overspent on players in the past.

Anyway i'll leave the transfer budget talk there as it's off topic. Back to Fellaini.

 

[finneh]

What do you mean by lack of competition? i said he's improved and performed better on the right wing bcause when Jose switched to 4-3-3 formation, no other players (Mata, Martial, Rashford) could performed as decent as he is on that position, but once we signed a proper right winger surely Lingard will go to bench? bcause just like Fellaini i see him as squad option, not a starter.

My point is your statement regarding Lingard only playing because he's the best player in his position is the same as every first team player... De Gea is only playing because he's the best goalkeeper. I then pointed out that Lingard plays more regularly through the middle than he does on the right wing, so your point about him being relegated to the bench once another player is bought isn't true.

I see Lingard as a first team player who will start around 50% of our games if he stays fit - irrespective of the right wing position. He's in the same category as the likes of Martial/Rashford/Herrera, whereas Fellaini is in the same category as Shaw/Darmian/Blind.

 

[United_We_Stand]

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[Ish]

If he renews, and the media is done with this, Fellaini is gonna be on 400k per week wages, second highest earner behind Sanchez

 

[Varun]

I hope we fall well short of his expectations. Good luck finding a club that pays you like a 50mil player.

 

[TheFlagStaysDown]

There is something wrong with Mourinho and the club if we make him stay..