Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admitted that he was concerned about the prospect of losing Marouane Fellaini considering the midfielder’s contract talks with the club haven’t reached a fruitful end yet.

Speaking ahead of his side’s Premier League match against Brighton on Saturday, Mourinho revealed that he was not part of the discussions that would tie the midfielder to a new deal at the club.

Fellaini is understood to want a longer contract than the one that he is currently being offered by the United board. In January, Fellaini will be free to talk to foreign clubs as he enters the final six months of his current deal.

When asked whether he was concerned about the prospect of losing Fellaini, Mourinho said, “Yes. (I have done) nothing, it is a discussion between the player and the board. I’m not involved in contracts… and I respect both. I respect the player because he has the right, has the right to decide his future and I respect the board because the decisions and the discussions are under control so I just wait, wishing they will have an understanding but it’s out of my control.”

Turkish clubs Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray and Italian clubs Roma and Napoli have all been linked with the former Everton player. PSG have recently been linked to the player as well.

When he signed for the club under David Moyes, Fellaini wasn’t that important to the team and his technical deficiencies were regularly exposed. However, the transformation the player has had under Mourinho has been fantastic and he has been a reliable option for the Portuguese manager. He has proved his critics wrong and has a strong bond with the manager.

Is he worth the fight Or would getting rid of him and getting someone more suited for the needs of the team the direction the club should be looking Fans certainly have mixed reactions on the same.

Good player, Fellaini. Decent option. But this carry-on over a new deal is tedious. He’s not worth fighting for and getting rid for a better type of player might actually help United’s play develop; shock horror.

— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) November 24, 2017

Manchester United should NOT be sweating over Fellaini. If he wants to leave he knows where the door is. No player is bigger than the club, especially not a player used for rotation. Sign the deal offered or adios.

— The Football Writer (@ZeFutbolWriter) November 24, 2017

Fellaini to leave It’s quite odd for him to do that just when he is turning things around for the better and after how Jose supported him. I know many will celebrate him leaving but can’t take away his contributions to the club

— Evelyn Carter (@eevelynctrr) November 24, 2017

Imagine getting scared at the thought of Fellaini leaving. Embarrassing from a Man Utd manager. If he’s that obsessed he might as well leave with him. https://t.co/rrcW7kCspp

— AH (@UtdTactic) November 24, 2017