There’s no love lost between Marouane Fellaini and Jamie Carragher, with the former Liverpool defender once calling the Belgian a “menace in the worst possible sense” and stating his hope he would never play in the Premier League again.

After scoring an injury time winner against Arsenal at the weekend, Fellaini has been asked about Carragher’s recent misdemeanour which saw him suspended from his job as a pundit Sky Sports. Following United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool earlier in the season, Carragher spat at a girl in the car next to him after he father mocked the Carragher about the result.

How can someone like Carragher lecture me? The guy who spat on a girl from his car after Manchester United – Liverpool. You know, the critics help you progress, you end up working more, you want to show them they are wrong.

Jose Mourinho claimed that Fellaini was close to signing a new deal at United but the player today has shown that he is playing hard to get.

The entire staff is doing everything so I can stay. But the club made an error in not extending my contract last season. Now I am in a strong position, especially since Mourinho has stated that he wants to keep me.

Last year I went to the coach and I said that I wanted a new contract. I then had a second meeting, but I will not ask it ten times. Afterwards I became important for the team. A good player costs at least 50 million euros. The club knows that they went wrong there.

I am now thirty years old, at the end of my contract and negotiating with Manchester United. There are several clubs that show interest. I’m waiting for what’s going to happen. Maybe [I could leave] but don’t forget that I am at one of the biggest clubs in the world, it’s going well, I know all of my teammates, the staff, everyone respects me. Why change? But there is no point rushing or accepting anything. I am relaxed for the moment.