Fellaini 'opens talks' over a move away from Man Utd to China

Marouane Fellaini has opened talks over a multi-million pound move from Manchester United to China.

The Belgium international midfielder was scheduled to arrive at United's Aon Training Centre at lunchtime on Tuesday to discuss his departure.

The Chinese are understood to have sent a delegation over to arrange the final details with United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, though time is on their side with the Chinese Super League window open until February 28.

Fellaini was a big favourite of Jose Mourinho but has played just 31 minutes under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, coming on as a substitute in the wins over Cardiff and Reading.

United's squad were staying at the Hilton Garden Inn at Lancashire's cricket ground on Tuesday ahead of their Premier League clash with Burnley.

Fellaini is not part of the squad as he is currently out injured for three weeks after damaging a calf muscle. Regardless, Fellaini recognises that, despite United still pursuing the FA Cup and a Champions League campaign, he will have limited game time under Solskjaer who has preferred to utilise the quicker players at his disposal. Solskjaer has also put a halt to Scott McTominay going out on loan to maintain cover.

The Chinese Super League clubs have courted Fellaini for a number of years and Guangzhou Evergrande had shown an interest last month. However, Sportsmail understands the deal being discussed is with another club.

Fellaini, who was signed for United by David Moyes from Everton for £27m, has often struggled to win over the Old Trafford crowd with his ungainly style but managed to score some important goals under Mourinho. Indeed, the Portuguese coach pushed hard to get Fellaini the new two year contract he signed last summer, worth around £140,000 a week. He has managed 21 appearances this season and scored twice.

Fellaini has seen Belgian team-mate Mousa Dembele join Guangzhou R and F in recent weeks and heard mixed reports from Axel Witsel and Yannick Carrasco who is looking to leave Dalian Yifang and return to Europe.

However, Fellaini has always been open to trying a new experience and is ready to go to China and end his five year spell with United.

Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Fred, Andreas Pereira and McTominay all appear to be ahead of Fellaini in the pecking order after Solskjaer took over the reins from  Mourinho.

Fellaini had a big admirer in Mourinho as the former Everton man was seen as the ideal Plan B option when United were struggling to score.

The Portuguese said in June: 'I am very happy Marouane is staying with us. I always believed in his desire to stay with the club and I am delighted that he has signed a new contract.'

And Fellaini stated on penning a deal until 2020: 'I am pleased to be continuing my journey as a Manchester United player,' he said. 'I made this decision because I am very happy here. Also, I feel like this team, under Jose, still has a lot we want to achieve.

'I would like to say a special thank you to Jose for the faith he has always shown in me. My focus now is on the World Cup and I am looking forward to a successful season ahead.'

Fellaini is one of a few United players who remained in Mourinho's corner after he lost the dressing room during his final few months of his time at Old Trafford.

The towering midfielder netted two goals this season with his first coming in United's Carabao Cup defeat by Derby and his second being a crucial last-minute winner against Young Boys in the Champions League.

United fans booed Fellaini after he came off the bench for the final minute of his side's 1-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford in December 2016.

The home supporters displayed their anger towards the midfielder after he conceded a late penalty against Everton at Goodison Park in the final minute of their 1-1 draw a week before.

Fellaini will be remembered as United's first signing under David Moyes in what proved to be a frantic summer for the club.

After losing both Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill, the Red Devils struggled in the transfer market with Ed Woodward and Moyes failing to land their top targets.

Toni Kroos, Cesc Fabregas and Leighton Baines were just a few of the players United tried to sign.

Fellaini ended up being United's sole summer signing in a season which the club finished seventh and Moyes was sacked after just 10 months in charge.

Moyes previously broke Everton's transfer record to bring Fellaini to Goodison Park for £15m from Standard Liege in September 2008.