Belgium international Marouane Fellaini has reportedly finalised a pre-contract agreement to join Besiktas on a Bosman at the end of the season. The 30-year-old has been in contractual discussions with Manchester United in recent months, but it appears that he has eventually come to a decision over his future.
According to Fotomac, the midfielder has decided to end his five-year association with United after having agreed to join the Turkish champions when his contract expires on June 30.
Fellaini has experienced a hot-and-cold relationship with the United faithful since his arrival from Everton under David Moyes in 2013, but his performances at the start of the 2017/18 season, earned him plenty of plaudits.
The former Evertonian netted four goals in the United shirt in the space of a couple of months, but a knee sprain sustained in October has seemingly hampered his progress with multiple setbacks.
Fellaini most recently featured for seven minutes during the second half of the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, and he has since undergone a minor operation which is expected to sideline until the end of March at the least.
The midfielder’s decision is likely to infuriate Mourinho, who had praised the Belgian’s attitude earlier in the campaign, and was hopeful that he would commit his future with the renewed contract offer on the table.
With Fellaini parting ways, Mourinho faces the need to spend heavily to bolster the central midfield department in the summer, given Michael Carrick is expected to retire with a view to taking up a coaching role with the club.
The form of Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba is also a concern moving forward, and Mourinho may have to bring in at least one quality midfielder in the ranks in order to maintain the competition among the first-team regulars.
Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira are potential options who could slot into the midfield when required, but judging by Mourinho’s style of management, he may prefer an experienced head in the squad ahead of the academy graduates.
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