Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho has rubbished speculation linking Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini with a move to Galatasaray, saying that it would be easier for the Turkish side to rope him in as their manager than signing the Belgian star.
Earlier, Galatasaray’s sporting director Cenk Ergun had suggested that they were leading the race for roping in Fellaini, who played the role of a fringe player under Mourinho last season.
However, the Belgian had won the confidence of his manager following a string of good performances in both the Premier League and Europa League last season.
Man Utd are on the brink of completing a deal for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic but Mourinho insisted Fellaini, who has entered the last year of his United contract – will not be allowed to leave this summer.
“It’s easier for Galatasaray to get me than to get Maroaune,” Mourinho told reporters. “Forget it. He’s too important to me.”
In a press conference after United’s 3-0 friendly victory over Valerenga, Mourinho heaped praise on Man Utd’s new £75million striker Romelu Lukaku, who found the net with a superb header from a corner.
GOAL! Lukaku with a great header. 2-0 #mufc pic.twitter.com/sDO8hqE0Ur
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) July 30, 2017
Mourinho said of Lukaku’s strike: “It’s nice. Strikers like to score goals. It’s not important for me but probably it is for him, for his confidence.”
“We managers are many times happy with strikers, even when they don’t score, because of the way they participate in team organisation and game plans. But to them, scoring goals is always important.”
Mourinho also praised new centre-back Victor Lindelof, who drew criticism for inconsistent displays during the club’s tour of the United States.
.@VLindelof says he is settling in well at #MUFC – glad to hear it, Victor!
Get more #MUTOUR reaction on #MUTV: https://t.co/5ld1vrT6hL pic.twitter.com/KL0HRi6ZYp
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 30, 2017
Mourinho said: “Step by step. Benfica is a giant club, I always think that players coming from Benfica come mentally ready because they’re a big club and the responsibility to play for them makes players ready.”
“But the Portuguese league is different. Benfica is one of the dominant teams so he’s more used to playing with the ball. He needs his time. We’ll give him his time. Manchester United is a huge club, huge responsibility. But I’m happy with what he’s doing.”