Report: Mourinho keen to extend Fellaini's contract

Sometimes it appears as if mercurial Marouane Fellaini has but one fan in football.

Luckily for the towering Belgium international, it's his current manager, with reports suggesting Jose Mourinho is looking to extend Fellaini's deal with Manchester United.

With his current terms set to lapse next summer, should Fellaini and the Red Devils not agree to a new contract by Jan. 1, the aerial threat will be free to sign a pre-contract with another club, prompting Mourinho's urgency, according to a report from ESPN FC's Rob Dawson.

Galatasaray showed interest in the former Everton man in the summer, and with the 76-time capped Standard Liege academy product set to turn 30 in November, fears are that he could be persuaded into a move to Turkey or China for one last big contract.

A lightning rod for derision, Fellaini joined United from the Toffees in 2013 for a £27.5-million fee, and despite forging his place as a versatile part of the Red Devils' plans, the right-footer has been privy to plenty of criticism, especially as a long-ball target during Louis van Gaal's and Mourinho's spells at Old Trafford.

The generously coiffed midfielder has scored nine times in 93 appearances for United, winning the FA Cup, League Cup, and Europe League during his five-year tenure.