Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is taking his time over putting pen to paper for a new contract with Manchester United, with the two parties not yet at an agreement over a potential extended deal.

According to the Daily Mail, the Belgian midfielder, who is seen by manager Jose Mourinho as a key figure in the squad, is holding out for a longer contract extension than is currently being offered to him by the Red Devils hierarchy.

Fellaini, who joined the club from Everton on deadline day in 2013, has made 139 appearances for United and scored 17 goals in that time; with many of them being vital equalisers or winning goals.

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The aggresive, towering central midfielder turns 30 years old in November, which is thought to be the sticking point in contract negotiations; United are known to give players over the age of 30 shorter, rolling deals, renewing them as and when the club feel it is necessary.

However, it is reported that Fellaini, who has 75 caps for Belgium, wants more reassurance over his role at Old Trafford in terms of a longer contract, making sure that he is at the club as they emerge from what was a tricky transition period following the managerial retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Red Devils are now looking a real force once more, so it is understandable that Fellaini wants to stick around and continue to contribute to the club’s rise back to the top of the footballing tower.