Fellaini: I am living in Manchester now, because in Liverpool, the women were crawling for me

Everton star Marouane Fellaini has revealed he has been forced to move from Liverpool to Manchester due to his popularity with the women of Merseyside.

The 25-year-old has been in magnificent form this season to help David Moyes’ side mount a meaningful challenge for a Champions League qualifying position in the Premier League.

Fellaini’s goalscoring exploits, not to mention his unmistakable hairstyle, have cemented his position as a Goodison Park cult hero, but the Belgium international admits the attention he now receives from adoring fans has become too much.

“I am living in Manchester now, because in Liverpool, the women were crawling for me," Fellaini said. “It was too much. In Manchester, people don’t recognise me that much and tend to treat me in a more respectful way.

“I don’t want to be a star. I just want to play football.”

Fellaini has missed Everton’s last three games, including Sunday’s damaging defeat against Chelsea, through suspension after his headbutt on Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross, but is due to return against Newcastle on Wednesday.

“Normally I am an honest player but that was just frustration at Stoke,” he said. "Shawcross was pushing and pulling me the whole game and, in the end, I just exploded. But I shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry for what I did.”

The future of the former Standard Liege star has been the subject of intense speculation with the likes of Chelsea reported to be considering a January raid for the powerful midfielder. But Fellaini insists he is happy to honor the contract he signed until 2016.

“I have a contract with Everton until 2016, and, if the club want, I will see that out," he said. "I know I am hot, and I want to move forward one day, but I will finish my Everton contract if they want me to.”