Manchester United have triggered the one-year option on Marouane Fellaini’s £120,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford, tying the Belgium international to the club until the summer of 2018, according to Daily Mail
The news emerged on Wednesday in the wake of Fellaini’s late goal and emotional celebration as United beat Hull City in the semi-final of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.
Although it was widely believed that Fellaini had signed a five-year contract when he moved from Everton for £27.5million in 2013, United had an option to activate the final 12 months of the deal.
The club exercised that right last month at a time when Fellaini was weighing up the possibility of a move to Italy as well as offers from China.
The 29-year-old would have been able to talk to foreign clubs from January 1 before becoming a free agent in the summer had United not extended his contract.
It’s understood that Fellaini is very happy working under Jose Mourinho and would welcome the opportunity to sign a new long-term deal if it was offered, although no talks have taken place.
Equally, the move could be seen as United protecting their investment to guarantee that they receive a transfer fee if Fellaini is sold at the end of the season.
The club triggered a similar clause in Dimitar Berbatov’s contract in February 2012 before selling him to Fulham for £5m six months later.
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