Marouane Fellaini was never a fan favourite during his time at Manchester United, but was appreciated by all the managers, perhaps with the exception of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Due to limited playing under the Norwegian and little prospect of that changing, the midfielder left the Red Devils for Chinese club Shandong Luneng earlier this year.
The Belgian followed his former manager David Moyes to Manchester United in 2013 and endured a difficult debut season at Old Trafford.
Moyes was sacked 10 months into his six-year contract at United and Fellaini’s future at United in 2014 was uncertain.
Napoli were one of the clubs credited with an interest in signing him and Fellaini has revealed he came close to joining them in Louis van Gaal’s first transfer window at United.
“In 2014, I almost signed with Napoli, I also spoke with Benitez. My first year with Manchester wasn’t the best,” Fellaini told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“In that summer I played a great World Cup with Belgium… I really thought about it, then I thought and I realised that United was a great club and the Premier a great competition. I wanted to try again.”
Fellaini came close to leaving Manchester United as a free agent last summer and days before his contract was set to expire, he signed a new deal with them.
Solskjaer’s predecessor Jose Mourinho was a big admirer of the player and the Portuguese tactician played a role in Fellaini’s decision to stay at Manchester United, despite having offers from elsewhere.
“A year ago, there was this other opportunity. My agent spoke to Milan. But I know Mourinho very well, I felt good with him and he wanted me to stay at United,” he added.
“It was easy to choose to stay a few more months. Mourinho for me is a great man and I still feel it. I like his personality; he is tough but generous. And then in football it is normal to have highs and lows between a coach and players.”
