The fans’ favourite had been at Bournemouth for five years after joining from Swansea but his chances of first-team football were getting less and less, and he only made three appearances for the first team last season – all from the bench.
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Mourinho acknowledged that Fellaini has work to do to turn around supporters’ opinions, but suggested the midfielder will be an “important” player for United this season.
“With Fellaini I always have the feeling that he was not loved by the general Red people”, Mourinho told MUTV.
The former Sweden captain, who netted the victor on his first competitive outing in the Community Shield, drilled in a superb low shot from distance to add to goals from Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney.
“One goal changes the picture as in the beginning of the second half they tried to put more pressure on us, which opened more spaces”, Mourinho said.
Anthony Martial flashed a shot wide of Artur Boruc’s left-hand post, before the Bournemouth goalkeeper saved low from Rooney’s first-time effort after United’s first good passage of play involving Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia.
While some players are busy looking for an exit strategy, Jose Mourinho is also busy strengthening up his squad with the recent signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba.
New Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he has been shocked by the intensity of the English Premier League despite his stunning debut goal.
“We could feel this today with the few thousand [supporters] and I can imagine this on Friday at Old Trafford, I think they can play their game”.
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“He was unlucky with his free-kick [that was saved] and it was a good strike for his goal”.
