Mourinho wants Fellaini to earn United ‘love’

Marouane Fellaini’s name on Manchester United’s team-sheet for their win at Bournemouth raised eyebrows, but according to Jose Mourinho the Belgian is set to be a new fan favourite.

United fans’ jaws dropped to the floor when £30million signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan was benched, with Juan Mata and Fellaini starting.

But Mata scored the first goal of Mourinho’s Premier League tenure and Fellaini was superb in the Red Devils’ midfield.

Zlatan Ibrahmiovic fired home on his Premier League debut, while captain Wayne Rooney nodded in their second, but it was Fellaini who Mourinho feels is destined to take a special place in United hearts.

“With Fellaini I always have the feeling that he was not loved by the general Red people,” the Portuguese said.

“But, if he plays like he’s playing now, they have to love him because he’s being so important for us.”

(Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

Belgian international Fellaini was clearly happy with his own performance and was insistent that the ‘Old United’ are back.

“We have to improve every game if we want to do something well this season and we want to prove to everyone that Man United are back,” the 28-year-old said.

“Zlatan had one chance and got one goal which is good for us. Eric Bailly was strong defensively and in the Premier League we need that and we hope he can continue like that.

“Like everybody, I want to start so I’m happy to start and show my quality and show the manager what I can do.”