Monday 31 July 2017 08:54, UK
Jose Mourinho has dismissed speculation that Marouane Fellaini could leave Manchester United for Galatasaray, saying he is "too important".
Fellaini has a year left on his contract and, with Nemanja Matic seemingly on his way to Old Trafford, might face more of a fight for a starting role next season.
He has been linked with a move to Galatasaray, but, after Fellaini scored in a 3-0 pre-season win over Valerenga on Sunday, Mourinho was clear in his stance on the midfielder.
"It's easier for Galatasaray to get me than Marouane," he said. "If they need a manager, they have a chance, but Marouane? Forget it. He is too important to me."
Mourinho was also asked about a move for Matic, who is understood to be close to joining United from Chelsea.
"I'm waiting for news," he said. "I know that he wants that very, very much and when a player wants very, very much the chance is bigger, so I think we have a chance, but in football until it's official, I have seen so many things happen that I refuse to say more than I am telling you now."
There have been pictures on social media showing Matic wearing a Manchester United shirt with the number 31.
But Mourinho again refused to comment, saying: "I don't know because I was not there. Number 31 is a free number. It was [Bastian] Schweinsteiger. It's a free jersey, we have a few free and 31 is one of them."
