Manchester United Transfer News: Marouane Fellaini Deal Wanted by Jose Mourinho

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho reportedly wants Marouane Fellaini to be handed a contract extension at the club to keep him beyond next season. 

ESPN FC's Mark Ogden relayed the news from unnamed sources, with Mourinho hoping the Belgian will stay another year, which would keep him at Old Trafford until 2019.

The midfielder's contract was due to expire this summer until he exercised a one-year option to stay in January.

According to Ogden, the Special One has been impressed by Fellaini's "versatility, strength of character and readiness to play in numerous roles."

There have long been doubts over the 29-year-old's quality and suitability to play regularly for a club with ambitions of winning the Premier League title and competing in Europe.

However, he has come to be a useful asset to United and his versatility is a factor, as he can fill in as a holding midfielder or in a more advanced position thanks to his physicality and aerial prowess.

Hesham Bilal-Hafiz of the Manchester Evening News and football writer Liam Canning hailed his work rate:

Fellaini has made 36 appearances for United in all competitions this season and while he may have only started 19 of them, it's clear he's a part of Mourinho's plans.

Here's a look at his Premier League numbers, courtesy of Squawka:

Apps	22
Goals	1
Assists	0
Chances Created	10
Tackles	30
Aerial Duel	73
Interceptions	20
Pass Completion	87%

While many United fans would likely hope not to see Fellaini in the starting XI with much regularity, Mourinho already has limited options in midfield following the departures of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, while, as Ogden noted, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney could leave in the summer.

As such, bringing in midfield reinforcements is likely to be a priority over the next few transfer windows, but until they can be drafted in it makes sense to keep hold of Fellaini in the meantime. 

If United are able to bring in more quality in the centre, Fellaini could then be sold next summer rather than leaving for free.