Hero footballer stops playing to save fan

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has been praised for helping a supporter in distress during a game against Hull City on the weekend. Photo / Photosport

A Manchester United star has been praised for saving a fan from being crushed in a frenzy after he spotted her from his position on the field.

Following the match-winning goal scored by teenage sensation Marcus Rashford against Hull yesterday, the Manchester United supporters within the KCOM Stadium went ballistic, as the strike from the 18-year-old handed them a 1-0 victory late in the match.

With supporters being crushed as a result of the wild frenzy that the Red Devils fans were in, United's Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini paused playing football to help a distressed female supporter crammed against the barrier which seperates the crowd from the pitch.

Fellaini's actions assured no injury was inflicted on the woman wearing a bright pink hoodie, however the same cannot be said of other United supporters who celebrated wildly at Rashford's goal, with at least one fan hospitalized following a leg break during the frenzy.

It was a touch of class from the 28-year-old, who is entering his fourth season with Manchester United and has established himself as a starter under the reign of new manager Jose Mourinho.

He may, however, be facing a lengthy time on the sidelines follwing last weekend's game, with a back injury expected to rule him out for the next few weeks.

"I am going to lose Fellaini for a while. He has a muscle injury in his back and it is not good," said Mourinho.

When questioned about how long Fellaini was expected to be out of action, Mourinho replied: "I don't like to say that but it is bad."

Fellaini was set to link up with the Belgium national side ahead of their friendly against Spain on Friday morning (NZT) and their World Cup qualifier against Cyprus five days later.

His injury will allow opportunities for fellow midfielders Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera, and Morgan Schneiderlin to claim a spot in the Manchester United starting XI, alongside world record signing Paul Pogba.