Jose Mourinho says that he restored Marouane Fellaini’s flagging confidence with a phone-call one day after he was installed as Manchester United manager, telling the Belgian that he would not be sold.

Fellaini has been one of United’s stand-out performers in their two league wins so far against Bournemouth and Southampton on Friday night, despite suggestions that the club were ready to sell the man who arrived three summers ago as David Moyes’ first signing.