Marouane Fellaini keeps having stinkers. You could say that he made his presence felt for Manchester United against Bayern Munchen on Tuesday evening. But, for one so big, he lost out in 76% of his tackles, gave the ball away in an infuriating manner on way too many occasions and generally looked as if he was playing at a level too high for him.
We believe that the problem for Manchester United is that Fellaini simply isn’t technically good enough to be a central midfielder for an elite side. Even Manchester United’s most warrior-like midfielders through history have had decent feet.
Players like Robson, Keane and Ince all knew how to battle with the best of them. But they could also hit a beautiful long pass, beat a man or score a goal with pure skill. Since his first game for Manchester United, we felt that Fellaini would really struggle. The worst bit about it is that he’s not even a great ball winner to compensate for his glaring foibles.
So, what to do with a man who cost £27.5m and was David Moyes’s totemic first signing? Leaving him out of the team would be tantamount to Moyes admitting he made a huge balls up. And if Manchester United sold him this summer they would surely make a huge loss – even more embarrassing for Moyes. In retrospect we can all assume that the Manchester United manager would have thought twice about the purchase.
We believe that the only way to make this guy a success at Manchester United is to teach him how to defend. In fact, with Manchester United’s defence in serious need of fresh blood, we think that Fellaini would actually make a rather good centre back.
His height gives him an obvious advantage back there. He was bought to win the ball so he must have that somewhere in his locker – another vital component for a centre back. And he must surely be better in the air than he has so far illustrated in his time at Manchester United. Indeed, at Everton he was known for chipping in with headed goals.
Fellaini isn’t a Manchester United midfielder. It’s as simple as that. But, if he is to stay at the club, we think that David Moyes could save face by developing the Belgian into a centre back of some promise.
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in1voice
Apr 3, 2014 at 3:56 am
The glaring fact that you don’t see MU fans wearing afro wigs like Everton fans used to tells the story. He just isn’t MU material. Even the poor Cleverly (and Anderson) is better than him in midfield. Fletcher is way better inspite of his health problems. Nick Powell must be even miles ahead (MU needs him back). Even Jones who is best in defence can do a better job in midfield.
Deluded Moyes
Apr 3, 2014 at 4:40 am
He cannot tackle and he won only 1 out 7 heading duels ..He would be dreadful anywhere…it is embarrassing that he is on the pitch….and Moyes is thinking of selling/trading Kagawa….who has been used as a winger by Moyes……he has not been used consistently in his proper position or given a run of games, yet that galoot has been used in his so called best positions…..He kills the argument that Moyes needs more time as it looks like he will be kept ,whilst Powell, Zaha, Perreira and Lingard will not be given a chance, but then again Kevin Sheedy of Everton stated that he showed no interest in the youth. Moyes transfer record at Everton was also a disaster as each striker he signed performed better at their previous club.I do not care if wewin the CL, it will be in spite of him, not because of him.There is no hope for Rodney Trotter Fellaini
ECHEYA M.C.
Apr 3, 2014 at 4:49 am
HE MUST BE ON THE BENCH FOR 5 TO 6 MATCHES WHILE UTD MUST BE VERY ACTIVE BUSY TO SHIP OUT THE UNEXPECTED EXPENSIVE RAW MATERIALS OF MEDIOCRITIES..NO NEW DEALS AT ALL FOR A ONE OR TWO GAME SHOW FOR A SEASON,..GIGGS/FERDINAND/FLETCHER/CARRICK/YOUNG/ANDERSON/CLEVERLEY/NANI/CHICHARITO/R V P/SMALLING/==HIGHLY LONG OVERDUE WELCOME TO UTD ARE = MANGALA~GARAY~SHAW~CARVALHO~GUNDOGAN~KROOS~REUS~CUADRADO + DEA GEA~MATA~ROONEY~RAPHAEL~=VALENCIA*EVANS*JANUZAJ¤JONES*WELBECK*POWELL*GINTER*LALANA*..NO MORE OVERSQUAD WKLY WASTAGE EARNERS.. ,19 EFFECTIVE PERFECT FIGHTERS OK FOR UTD
ady
Apr 3, 2014 at 4:49 am
he just look at schweiny scored.he didnt know how to mark opposition player.
shaun
Apr 3, 2014 at 5:49 am
Not surprising. He is just like his boss. Both are not Manchester united standard. 27 million pounds for someone who can’t tackle, can’t pass, no footballing vision, no pace, no heading positioning. Only way to save his career now is to freeze him out of any match line up. At least this way can save the club and himself from further humiliation.
Mr.Complex
Apr 3, 2014 at 6:49 am
Fellaini will be good, i suggest they should bring a world class coach to improve his career. David Moyes tactics is poor with players despite they were together in everton but somebody like Diego Simeone or Jurgen Klopp will help him. despite Klopp lose yesternight but he is a good coach is only that he lacks squad.
Logan
Apr 3, 2014 at 8:28 am
I actually had the same thought when Utd had no cover in defence. He has the physical attributes of a centre half and should be able to carry the ball into midfield and surely he can be better than an ageing Ferdie.
This should be his future position and he can score more goals at set plays. That’s what the League games are meant for, try different players , diferent formats and positions.
Fred
Apr 3, 2014 at 8:52 am
He’s bobbins. He should not have a place in the Utd team – defence or midfield. He can hardly place a pass. Dangerous enough in midfield but fatal at the back.
I can’t believe he had 75% pass completion on Tuesday. I thought it would surely be under 50%! Get shot of him, even if for only a few million. There’s no point in having him here