Manchester United announce new deal for unpopular midfielder

Manchester United have announced they have triggered a clause in Marouane Fellaini’s contract to extend his stay at Old Trafford by a further 12 months.

Fellaini, 29, has struggled to establish himself at the club since making the move from Everton for nearly £30m in 2013 and has often been a scapegoat for United’s problems in the post-Alex Ferguson era.

United manager Jose Mourinho has been very protective of Fellaini and was very vocal in his support of the Belgium international after he came on and gave away a penalty that Everton equalised from in the dying embers.

The controversial midfielder had entered the final six months of his existing deal and United have now confirmed they have exercised the right to extend his stay until 2018, capping a fine week for Fellaini after he came off the bench to score in their League Cup semi-final against Hull on Tuesday.

In the last four Premier League seasons only Alexis Sanchez (17) has committed more handballs than Fellaini (15).

For more stats on Marouane Fellaini, click here to visit his WhoScored player page