Marouane Fellaini feels he has been harshly treated by English football as Manchester United midfielder weighs up his long term future

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Marouane Fellaini believes he has been unfairly cast as ‘the villain’ and ‘a murderer’ in English football as he deliberates over his next career move.

The Belgium midfielder will be out of contract at the end of the season and is waiting for an improved offer from Manchester United after rejecting new terms. Fellaini will be free to open talks with foreign clubs on Monday amid keen interest from Besiktas.

The 30-year-old has divided opinion among United fans during the four-and-half years since he moved from Everton for £27.5million because of his awkward playing style.

Marouane Fellaini believes he has been unfairly cast as ‘the villain’ in English football

Fellaini’s combative approach has also made him a target for criticism outside Old Trafford.

He has only been sent off three times – latterly for headbutting Sergio Aguero in the Manchester derby in April – although he picked up a retrospective three-match ban last year for elbowing Robert Huth after the Leicester defender pulled his trademark mop of hair.

Fellaini claimed this reputation is undeserved as he reflected on his career in the Premier League with Belgian magazine Humo.

Fellaini was last sent off for headbutting Sergio Aguero in the Manchester derby in April

Although he picked up a retrospective three-match ban last year for elbowing Robert Huth

‘They have labelled me an aggressive player, a murderer,’ he said.

‘Look, I'm fanatical. The team that wants it the hardest wins. But there have been times when I came out as the villain.

‘What should I do if they pull me by the hair? It sounds like a joke, but it really hurts.

‘Last season I was suspended after the derby against City for a headbutt against Aguero. He stepped towards me and then dropped dead. But, no, I get the red.

‘Players often try to provoke me but do you know how many yellow cards I collected last season? Four, in 45 matches. I've never destroyed someone’s career.’

Fellaini is currently out until the New Year with a persistent knee injury sustained with Belgium

Fellaini, who is sidelined until the New Year with a persistent knee injury originally sustained on international duty with Belgium, points to what he describes as an ‘attack’ on him by Shane Long when United won at Southampton in September.

‘Do you see how insanely good luck I had?’ he said. ‘He could have broken my leg. Without the tape around my ankle, it was definitely broken and I would have been out for six months.

‘If I did that, I’d be suspended for three games, maybe five. I swear to you. He got a yellow, apologised, and that was it.’

Fellaini insists he has learned to handle the criticism that followed his move to United in 2013 as a symbol of the David Moyes era, and a rollercoaster Old Trafford career under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho since.

Fellaini insists he has learned to handle the criticism that followed his move to United in 2013

‘I no longer need to prove anything – not in England or Belgium,’ he said.

‘There may be criticism from all sides but nothing can touch me.

‘Until that first year in Manchester I had never been under fire. Suddenly it happened, and I was not good at that.

‘Why should I care what an old player says about me? His time is long gone. The football world is full of hypocrisy.

‘Trust me, I have seen a lot. I have experienced players who were top, but also players who have disappointed me. Players who you imagined had strong personalities, but in my eyes were weaklings.’

Ironically, Fellaini’s future at United is in doubt at a time when he is valued more highly than ever by Mourinho.

Fellaini’s United future is in doubt despite being valued higher than ever by Jose Mourinho

United have offered to improve the midfielder’s £120,000-a-week deal but he wants in the region of £170,000.

‘The coach is someone who respects the decisions of his players. We’ve talked about it,’ he said.

‘This is my tenth season in England. Apart from the very first at Manchester, I’ve only known good moments. Five years Everton, five years Manchester: I love stability.

‘If United didn't want me anymore, they would have said so a long time ago. They made a proposal and another one will probably follow. I don't know if I will accept it. You don’t decide something like this in a hurry.’