There are rumors that Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini almost left Manchester United for Chinese Super League club Tianjin Quanjian FC before the Chinese winter transfer window closed last month.

The Sun reported that Fellaini "tried to secure" a switch to Quanjian last week as China's winter window was about to close. However, Tianjin manager Fabio Cannavaro turned down the offer from Fellaini's agent and so the Belgium international remains at the Old Trafford.

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Cannavaro said that the 29-year-old Brussels native "wasn't the kind of player he wanted in his side" as last season's China League One champions prepare for their campaign this year.

"I think above all about signing players aged 28 or 29. Marouane Fellaini was offered to us," Cannavaro admitted in a recent interview, according to Tribal Football. "But I told his agent that I am looking for a different type of player."

Fellaini agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Red Devils in January, and there are no indications that he is willing to commit his long-term future to the Manchester outfit. He is a regular part of manager Jose Mourinho's squad at Old Trafford, but he is having difficulties securing a starting XI role as he competes with the likes of Paul Pogba, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, and Ander Herrera for the same position.

With his advancing age, Fellaini reportedly wants to be on the pitch for as long as possible. However, Mourinho has not given him that chance so far this season.

Fellaini has not scored a single Premier League goal in 19 games so far this season. Most of the time, he has come off the bench.

Fellaini has been with United for three-and-a-half seasons since he was acquired from Everton in the summer of 2013. He has scored 13 times in a total of 116 games in all competitions for the Red Devils since then.

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Super League rumors, Chinese Super League rumors 2017, Marouane Fellaini, Manchester United, Tianjin Quanjian FC