Thursday 25 September 2014 14:21, UK
Marouane Fellaini says Louis van Gaal did not try to force him out this summer and he is ready to fight for his place at Manchester United when he returns from injury.
Fellaini was linked with an Old Trafford departure during the transfer window after a difficult first season at the club, with Van Gaal spending heavily to reshape his squad and prepared to allow some players to leave.
However, the deadline passed with Fellaini still at the club and it was reported that an ankle problem he suffered in August had prevented any chance of a move.
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.
The Belgian midfielder insists that was not the case and that he had never been told by Van Gaal that he was surplus to requirements.
Fellaini is now close to regaining fitness and determined to play a key role for United after learning from the tough moments of last season.
"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," Fellaini told Dutch paper Sport Wereld.
"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.
"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."
