'Attack' from Shane Long could have broken my leg - Marouane Fellaini hits out at Ireland striker

Marouane Fellaini. Photo: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Jamie Holland

Marouane Fellaini says he was lucky that his season wasn't ended by an 'attack' by Shane Long in September.

The Manchester United midfielder - who is currently sidelined with a knee problem - believes that Southampton's Irish attacker Long was lucky to escape censure for a tackle in the league meeting between the sides.

Long received a yellow card, but the Belgian feels he would have received a ban of up to five matches for the same offence.

Speaking about his current knee ligament trouble, Fellaini said: "It could have been worse ... there was that attack by Shane Long. Have you seen that?

"Do you see how much crazy luck I've had? He could have broken my leg! Without that tape around my ankle it would have certainly broken, and I would have been out for six months. I only missed the Europa League game against CSKA Moscow.

Slander

"When I do this I am suspended three matches. Maybe five. I am called a fool, a slander and a murderer. But I am a good person."

Fellaini has admitted he is still mulling over his United future but believes manager Jose Mourinho will respect his decision if he opts to quit.

United will offer Fellaini an improved deal worth up to £150,000-a-week after the Belgium midfielder rejected the club's initial contract offer in September.

Fellaini is free to talk to foreign suitors from Monday and could leave United for free when his contract expires in June.

"If Manchester did not want me any more, they would have said that for a long time," Fellaini, who has been holding out for £170,000 a week, told Belgian website HUMO. "They made a proposal, probably another will follow. Whether I will accept it, I do not know."