Blues look Down Under

CITY ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON SOCCEROO /PAGE 44

MAROUANE Fellaini paid a special thank-you to Jose Mourinho after signing a new deal to stay at United.

The 30-year-old has put pen to a two-year extension with the option of an additional year after he originally rejected the Reds’ offer in September.

United said they were ‘delighted’ to retain the Belgium international and manager Jose Mourinho, who was keen for him to stay, said: “I am very happy Marouane is staying with us. I always believed in his desire to stay with the club and I am delighted he has signed a new contract.”

Mourinho fought to keep the midfielder as he approached the end of his previous deal, which was due to expire tonight.

“I am pleased to be continuing my journey as a Manchester United player,” said Fellaini, who is with Belgium at the World Cup.

“I made this decision because I am very happy here. Also, I feel like this team, under Jose, still has a lot we want to achieve. “I would like to say a special thank you to Jose for the faith he has always shown in me. “My focus now is on the World Cup and I am looking forward to a successful season ahead.” Fellaini joined United in a £27.5m deal from Everton in 2013 and has won the FA Cup, the League Cup and Europa League. The Belgian wanted to make an announcement on his future tomorrow but United released a statement yesterday, a day before his old contract expired. It is understood United were resigned to losing Fellaini as recently as two weeks ago and were exploring potential replacements. A sticking point for the Reds was the length of Fellaini’s contract, since he turned 30 last season and their initial preference was to offer him a one-year extension with a one-year option.