Forgotten Man Utd star to retire aged 35 after five years in China following Old Trafford exit

11 months ago 89

FORMER Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini is set to retire from football.

Fellaini starred for the Red Devils between 2013 and 2019, making 177 appearances.

Marouane Fellaini is set to retire after spending five years in China[/caption]

Fellaini spent starred for Man Utd between 2013 and 2019[/caption]

Having been signed by David Moyes, the ex-Belgium midfielder was the unfortunate scapegoat for much of the initial criticism directed at the club after Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill left the club.

However, he seemed to have won fans around by the end of his six-year spell at Old Trafford.

But now, after spending five years with Chinese Super League club Shandong Taishan, he is set to retire this weekend, according to manager Choi Kang-hee.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference to the season finale against Henan FC, Choi – as reported by Chinese news agency Xinhua – said: “Though with some regret, I respect his decision to retire.

“He is a very great player.

“Maybe due to his age, his every post-game recovery was rather painstaking, which usually took one day or two.”

Fellaini, now 35, has made 137 appearances for the Chinese outfit, scoring 50 goals.

He lifted the Chinese Super League in 2021 and won the Chinese FA Cup three years running from 2020 to 2022.

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Shandong will hold a ceremony following the match on Saturday to pay tribute to Fellaini.

His time at Man Utd also saw him win four trophies.

He played a particularly important role in the club’s 2016 FA Cup trophy, getting an assist for Juan Mata‘s equaliser before Jesse Lingard lashed home an extra-time winner.

Fellaini revealed he would be leaving Shandong at the start of September.

In an Instagram post at the time, he said: “At the end of this season, after five years, I will say goodbye to the great club of Shandong Taishan FC.

“I have had the privilege of wearing the legendary jersey of this club in 130 games and of contributing to an incredible string of successes: the Super League in 2021 and the CFA Cup in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

“These moments will always be in my memory.

“As I have always done, I will give everything that I have in me to try to win another trophy this season.

“I am very grateful to our president, our fans, my team-mates, the coaches, the personnel, and everybody who was part of this amazing journey.”

Prior to his time at Man Utd, Fellaini had been battering his way through Premier League defences at Everton, whom he joined from Standard Liege where he began his career.