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Benitez: Fellaini waiting for Van Gaal judgement day

Marouane Fellaini will wait until Louis van Gaal wields the axe at Manchester United before considering a switch to Napoli, according to Rafael Benitez.

Van Gaal is set to break the bad news to his unwanted players now United's pre-season tour of America is over, following their 3-1 win against Liverpool in the final of the International Champions Cup.

Marouane Fellaini played no part in Manchester United's pre-season after reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup with Belgium © Getty Images

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Having reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup with Belgium, Fellaini did not go on the trip and faces the prospect of leaving Old Trafford after an underwhelming first season following his £27.5 million move last summer.

Napoli manager Benitez has been linked with a loan move. "Fellaini is a Manchester United player - it does not depend on us but it depends on them," the Spaniard is quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA before his side's pre-season match against Barcelona.

"He is a great player but he is at another team. It appears he is waiting for Van Gaal. We will have to wait.

"We have players who work very well, while it also depends on who leaves. It is not easy to name names."

Asked what type of players he wants to sign, Benitez said: "Players who have the mindset to win every game, then we can start to talk about the technical quality. With our same mentality but with a little more quality."

Fellaini returned to training at Carrington on July 28 and is said to be among several players who could be shown the exit by Van Gaal.

Wilfried Zaha is another among the fringe players thought to be under serious threat, despite appearing to be optimistic about staying, while Javier Hernández and Shinji Kagawa are reportedly being pursued by Atletico Madrid. Anderson and Nani are also thought to be surplus to requirements at United.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd