We actually can’t believe that we find ourselves saying this. With Nani out on loan and Ashley Young doing so well when not deployed as a winger, the only player we really had to complain about (apart from the regularly dodgy defenders) was Marouane Fellaini.
He had a shocker last season and we feel that he was never going to be technically good enough for Manchester United. But football is about balance amongst a team and Fellaini seems to be adding it right now.
Did anyone notice that Manchester United’s recent slump coincided with the big Belgian’s absence through injury? And since he has come back he’s really shaken the team up when he has come off the bench. Against Southampton he was the only Manchester United player who offered any threat int he last half hour.
And against QPR his introduction – to replace Mata at half time – immediately brought about a wholly better show in the second 45.
Manchester United have a lot of technically gifted players. But when you look at the top two, Chelsea have the likes of Matic and Ivanovic – monsters to protect the silky stars. At City it’s Toure and Kompany.
Amazingly, Manchester United now look like a better, more balanced side with Fellaini in and Mata out.
We can only doff our caps to a lad who has taken massive amounts of criticism and for whom there appeared no conceivable way back at Manchester United.
But Fellaini’s stock is higher now than at any time in his United career. And, in this form, he simply can;t be ignored in the big games.
Manchester United fans: Is Fellaini finally looking worth the money?
ken abbot
Jan 19, 2015 at 5:36 am
couldn’t agree more wholeheartedly with these sentiments and as for JUAN MATA, he may find himself slipping down the pecking order unless he improves dramatically, but getting a start in the main team to prove his worth may be a hurdle to big to get over
Bernard Koo
Jan 19, 2015 at 5:42 am
I fully agree with your assessment of Fellaini. Given the unfair treatment that he had to endure, both from the supporters and by David Moyes, he would have been forgiven for wanting to pack up and leave. But, to his credit, he opted to stay and fight for his place in the first team. He has certainly done very well in my books. Conversely, I can’t remember ever seeing Mata go in for a tackle and win the ball. Hererra, by comparison, is a much better choice than Mata in United’s midfield; he is two-footed whereas Mata uses his right foot merely to stand on!
soccersweep
Jan 19, 2015 at 10:01 am
Brilliantly said!