'Man Utd paid almost £30million to sign me – but I nearly left after a single season'

Marouane Fellaini was close to leaving Manchester United to work with Rafael Benitez after a single season. The Belgian initial struggled after following David Moyes from Everton to United in near-£30million transfer. And when Moyes was sacked after just 10 months in charge, Fellaini seriously considered leaving English football, holding talks with Napoli, then managed by former Liverpool boss Benitez.

However, after a strong showing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he decided to stay at Old Trafford, going on to win the Europa League , FA Cup and League Cup. He told Gazzetta dello Sport in 2019: "In 2014, I almost signed with Napoli, I also spoke with Benitez. My first year with Manchester wasn’t the best.



“In that summer I played a great World Cup with Belgium. I really thought about it, then I thought and I realised that United was a great club and the Premier a great competition. I wanted to try again.

” The prospect of a fresh start loomed again in 2018 when AC Milan came calling, but then-manager Jose Mourinho's trust played a crucial role in convincing him to remain at the Theatre of Dreams. Fellaini added: "My agent spoke to Milan. But I know Mourinho very well, I felt good with him and he wanted me to stay at United.

It was easy to choose to stay a few more months. GET INVOLVED! What are your memories of Fellaini's time at Man United? Tell us in the comments section . "Mourinho, for me, is a great man and I still feel it.

I like his personality, he is tough but generous. And then in football it is normal to have highs and lows between a coach and players." After clocking up over 150 United appearances, Fellaini, now 37, waved goodbye to the Red Devils for a new chapter with Shandong Taishan in China.

He hung up his boots earlier this year after five years in the Far East. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.

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