Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has today moved to dismiss reports that midfielder Marouane Fellaini is set to leave the club for Galatasaray, as it had been hinted that a deal was days from completion.
The Galatasaray president even went on record as saying that he is confident of landing the Belgian, but it's clear that Mourinho is having absolutely none of it.
Speaking to the media after his side won 3-0 in Oslo against Valerenga, Mourinho claimed that the Turkish giants have a better chance at signing him than Fellaini, such is his importance to the squad.
Mourinho on Fellaini, "It's easier for Galatasaray to get me than Marouane. He is too important to me. No chance."
— Chris Winterburn (@cmwinterburn) July 30, 2017
Mourinho on Fellaini, "It's easier for Galatasaray to get me than Marouane. He is too important to me. No chance." pic.twitter.com/tR4RJ0gdKG
— ⓥ (@SemperFiUnited) July 30, 2017
These comments will frustrate the section of Man Utd fans who want the much maligned Belgian nowhere near the team, but it's obvious that Mourinho has a massive amount of respect for the jobs that Fellaini does when asked.
He had a number of very good showings in a United shirt last year, but the main complaint his detractors will have is that his presence encourages 'long-ball' tactics... And he's got an awful knack of elbowing people in the face.
But it's Jose's squad, and he's got faith in Fellaini to the point where it now seems clear that he will not be leaving the club this summer. Then again, Mourinho could just be lying. He lies to the media all the time.
It seems we'll only know on September 1st when the transfer window shuts, but Fellaini to Galatasaray is not as far along as some Man Utd fans had hoped.
