Future is kneesy for Zlatan
BELGIAN IS ON ROAD TO REDEMPTION
YOU have to hand it to Marouane Fellaini.
He came to symbolise everything that was wrong about Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, yet he has survived to emerge as a key figure at Old Trafford.
He proved his enduring value to United with the opener after 17 minutes, which ultimately settled the tie, an unstoppable header from Marcus Rashford’s sublime cross.
The goal justified Fellaini’s inclusion in midfield ahead of the more experienced and composed Michael Carrick.
Opponents do not enjoy coming up against Fellaini – his height, physicality and propensity to use anything and everything – usually elbows – making him a nightmare to be pitted against.
A fortnight ago, Fellaini was shown a straight red card for a mindless headbutt on Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, a timely reminder of the 29-year-old’s ability to be a liability as well as an asset.
In many ways that dismissal – and the subsequent three-match ban – sealed Fellaini’s place as an automatic pick for Mourinho in the Europa League, given his enforced unavailability in the Premier League.
The Belgium international has also become something of a semifinal goal specialist, having also netted in the 2016 FA Cup against former club Everton, en route to United lifting the trophy, as well as this season’s EFL Cup against Hull.
Last night’s heroics also marked Fellaini’s long road to redemption, the midfielder booed by his own fans coming on against Tottenham, after giving away a late penalty at Everton a week earlier in a 1-1 draw.
Mourinho is certain to buy a new holding midfielder to address an area in which he feels United are lacking, particularly with Carrick out of contract and likely to leave.
But the decision to trigger a oneyear extension clause in Fellaini’s contract earlier this season showed how much Mourinho values him. ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has been backed to play for many more years by the surgeon who operated on his injured knee.
The Manchester United striker, 35, tore an anterior cruciate ligament in last month’s Europa League win over Anderlecht, leading to speculation his professional career may be over.
But doctor Freddie Fu Ho-keung believes the Swede is in fantastic condition and will recover.
“I can tell you he’s in superb shape in all things,” he said. “The quality of the bone and muscle, everything is as good as you can possibly see.
“He’s one of the top athletes I’ve ever touched, he is in superb shape. He can still play for many years, he’s so healthy, so strong.”
Wayne Rooney has a pension pot of £48million, according to the book that exposed details of Paul Pogba’s move to United.
Rooney, who is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, has the money invested in an image rights company, which is used like pension funds according to ‘Football Leaks: The Dirty Business of Football’, published in Germany yesterday.