Manchester United have confirmed that a clause has been triggered in Marouane Fellaini’s contract which has extended the midfielder’s stay until 2018.
The colossal Belgium international joined the Red Devils in 2013 from Everton when David Moyes took charge of the Red Devils.
The 29-year-old has not exactly found it easy to replicate the form he showed on Everton since moving to Old Trafford, with criticism rife of his performances for the large part.
However, Jose Mourinho appears to be a big fan of the central midfielder and his faith was repaid on Tuesday night when Fellaini netted a crucial second goal against Hull City in the EFL Cup semi-final.
Fellaini agreed a four-year deal with the option of a further year when he moved to Manchester United in 2013 and the club have today confirmed on their official website that a clause has been triggered for him to stay a year longer.
The clause Fellaini activated has not been revealed by the club, but it is more than likely the midfielder reached a certain number of games or perhaps goals to extend his stay.
There was only one place Marouane Fellaini was heading after scoring the goal that put Manchester United in a dominant position in the League Cup semifinals.
And it wasn’t to the United fans who have jeered him in recent weeks.
Instead, Fellaini zeroed in on the man who has shown faith in him during the tough times. Jose Mourinho was pumping his fists in the technical area when he was met with the full force of a charging Fellaini and his trademark afro.
The United manager tumbled backwards before putting his arms around the midfielder as they embraced. Minutes later, Fellaini’s name was being sung around Old Trafford.
Fellaini’s first goal of the season was important, not just because it sealed a 2-0 win for United against Hull on Tuesday in the first leg of the semifinals.
The bear-hug celebration showed the togetherness and improving the bond between Mourinho and his players, a factor that cannot have helped but aid United during its current run of nine straight victories in all competitions.
Fellaini is now regarded as a Plan B, a player to throw on in the final minutes to cause damage with his height and physicality. His crucial goal against Hull came via that route, with Matteo Darmian floating over a left-wing cross that Fellaini met with a looping header over the goalkeeper.
Mourinho likes to have physically imposing players in his team. He had them at Chelsea and immediately after joining United, he signed Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly — all players with a presence.
Given Fellaini’s characteristics, the midfielder could have a vital role to play for United in the second half of the season.