Fellaini was fourth-choice at beginning of LVG reign

MAROUANE Fellaini claims he was relegated to United’s fourth-choice central midfielder after Louis van Gaal was appointed manager.

Fellaini nearly joined Napoli on loan in the summer of 2014 as Van Gaal bolstered United’s midfield with the signings of Ander Herrera, Angel di Maria and Daley Blind for a combined £102.5m.

Injury scuppered Fellaini’s move and he kick-started his United career in his third appearance of the season with his first goal for the club at West Brom, having come on for Herrera.

The 29-year-old ended both of Van Gaal’s campaigns as a first-teamer but admits he was open to leaving United after just a year.

“When Louis van Gaal came he said: ‘You can stay, but you’re not my first choice, not my second, nor my third,’” Fellaini told Sport/Foot magazine. “I wanted to leave but I double-folded and in a few weeks’ time I managed to change his mind.”

Jose Mourinho’s man-management of Fellaini earlier this season was widely praised, particularly after the £27.5m signing conceded a late penalty to gift Everton a draw in December.

A section of the United support booed Fellaini the following week at Old Trafford but he steadily improved and scored crucial goals the following month against Hull and Wigan, celebrating the former by hugging Mourinho.

“He could have killed me, but no, he defended me,” Fellaini explained. “He protected me, I will never forget him.”