Marouane Fellaini rejects claim that Louis van Gaal attempted to force him out of Manchester United and is determined to fight for his place

Fellaini was expected to leave the club in the summer, a year since joining, but insists he is still determined to force his way into the side

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 25 September 2014 17:23 BST
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Marouane Fellaini
Marouane Fellaini (Getty Images)

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Marouane Fellaini has dismissed the claim that Louis van Gaal attempted to force the midfielder into leaving Manchester United in the summer, and has insisted that he will get a chance to prove he is good enough to stay at Old Trafford and fight for a first-team place.

The midfielder has only made one appearance this season, coming off the bench in the season-opening defeat to Swansea. It had been thought that Fellaini would leave the club in the summer transfer window, but the Belgium international remained at the club beyond the 1 September deadline.

Despite the likes of Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Darren Fletcher currently ahead of him in the pecking order under Van Gaal, Fellaini has said that he will fight for his place in the squad and that he will grow stronger despite a difficult first season with the club.

Fellaini arrived at United as David Moyes’ first major signing, following him from Everton for a hefty £28m fee that has not paid off. With Moyes gone, it was expected that the midfielder would follow suit, but a move to Napoli collapsed and there were no other suitors for the 26-year-old.

Speaking to Dutch newspaper Sport Wereld, Fellaini said: “I talked to Van Gaal and he has never said that I had to leave. He said I had a lot of competition, but that I will get the chance to prove myself.

“I have known difficult moments like last season, but you become a stronger player afterwards. I have confidence in myself and in my game again.

Fellaini claimed he is determined to force his way into the reckoning at United
Fellaini claimed he is determined to force his way into the reckoning at United (Getty Images)

“I played a good World Cup and also during the preparation, I was good. It is unfortunate that this injury has thrown spanner in the works, but at the end of the month I will be back.”

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