Manchester United Transfer News: Marouane Fellaini Agent Meeting, Latest Rumours

Marouane Fellaini's agent, Luciano D'Onofrio, is reportedly set to meet with AC Milan joint-CEO Adriano Galliani "this week" to discuss a move for the Belgian.  

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato (h/t Football Italia), the Rossoneri are hoping to sign the Manchester United midfielder on "a loan with a right of redemption," but the Red Devils are adamant in their desire to sell him permanently. United are hoping to recoup £19 million from the £27.5 million they paid for him in 2013.

The Red Devils' hope of making a hefty portion of that significant fee back is understandable after the 28-year-old's failure to have a positive impact at Old Trafford, but it's entirely unrealistic, and it's unsurprisingly reported as a huge stumbling block to a deal being made.

Despite impressing at Everton, Fellaini was never a natural fit at United, even under his former boss at Goodison Park—David Moyes—and still isn't to this day.

As Squawka Football recently revealed, United are a much more effective outfit without him in the side:

Indeed, though, it's now eight defeats in 22 matches with Fellaini after United drew 3-3 with Newcastle United and beat Liverpool 1-0; it remains a telling stat.

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

To his credit, the midfielder did make a decisive contribution to the win against Liverpool, as it was his header that crashed back off the bar for Wayne Rooney to score the only goal of the game.

That was just about all he contributed, though. AFP's Tom Williams wryly summed up his performance:

Football writer Liam Canning was similarly critical:

While the Belgium international possesses an abundance of strength and aerial prowess thanks to his large stature, he lacks the technical skills to fit in alongside his team-mates—particularly the likes of fellow midfielders Ander Herrera and Juan Mata.

Manager Louis van Gaal has often resorted to pushing Fellaini further upfield this season to capitalise on his height, but as a return of two goals and one assists in 21 appearances indicates, he's not cut out to be a forward player.

Although allowing Fellaini to leave for far less than they paid for him might cause the club to lose face, if they want to get him off the books, they need to lower their valuation.

Further, keeping him around to face similar criticism each week might actually cost them even more, so permitting him to move on would be best for all parties. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

Another Red Devils player reportedly attracting interest is Marcos Rojo.

Citing reports in Germany, James Dixon and Rob Pollard of the Manchester Evening News reported the Argentinian is atop Schalke's January wish list, as they seek to cover the injured Benedikt Howedes.

Rojo has featured just 11 times for United this season, though that's ostensibly due to injury problems of his own rather than falling out of favour.

The 25-year-old is a competent performer and still has much to give at Old Trafford, so he's unlikely to be allowed to leave.