Football
Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC 7y

Jose Mourinho wants Marouane Fellaini contract extension - sources

Jose Mourinho is to recommend a contract extension for Marouane Fellaini to the Manchester United board when the Old Trafford manager finalises his plans for summer rebuilding, sources have told ESPN FC.

United triggered a one-year option in the midfielder's contract in January in order to secure the 29-year-old to the club until the end of the 2017-18 season.

But with uncertainty surrounding the Old Trafford futures of Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney beyond this summer -- both players are expected to leave the club at the end of the campaign -- Mourinho is keen to reward Fellaini for his contribution this term by urging executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to sanction another extension to keep the former Everton man at the club for a further 12 months until June 2019.

Sources have told ESPN FC that United are determined to bolster their midfield this summer, with Monaco's Tiemoue Bakayoko a leading target.

In order to build his midfield around £89.3 million world-record signing Paul Pogba, Mourinho has identified a defensive midfielder as a priority, with Claude Makelele and Nemanja Matic performing the role successfully during his two spells as Chelsea manager.

Fellaini has been used in that position on several occasions by Mourinho this season, generally alongside Carrick, but his versatility, strength of character and readiness to play in numerous roles has impressed the United manager, who believes his value to the squad warrants a longer-term deal.

Mourinho has already offloaded Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger this season and, with Carrick and Rooney also likely to leave, Fellaini's ability to play as either a defensive or attacking midfielder position has made him a key figure in the manager's plans for next season.

Fellaini rejected interest from the Chinese Super League in January after being told by Mourinho that he would play a significant role during the second half of the season.

And with Fellaini already making more appearances this season than in any of his previous three campaigns at United, the player believes he has proven his commitment to the club by overcoming initial negativity from the supporters to earn respect from the stands and within the dressing room.

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