Imo Fellaini is more suited to short quick passing and keeping the ball than being the creative/defensive hub.
Would Fellaini improve under a new manager?
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
How you be expected to be taken seriously after posting a load of drivel after that? Please.. Do yourself a favor there are plenty of clips and even a couple of full games on youtube for Belgium. Go and watch them. This will give you a better understanding how how he can be utilized as a proper footballer. Use him as a shit on a stick and he'll play like a shit on a stick.
Playing to 'Fellaini's strengths' won't be the way we play next season ie. Caf stereotypical 'hez a knockdown target man yo!' strengths. The increased amount of mobility from midfield and the general skill level increase per player will play better to his ability. He's not just a shit on a stick knock-down merchant and if you think he is then you are the one that is delusional. Save us all.
I think we should just abandon all hope. This is absolutely fecking infuriating and it's sapping anyone trying to have a proper discussion regarding him. It's become like the mail/mirror on the Caf at times. Spin a wheel and pick a clump of cliche shit off the wall and slap it into the box and hit 'post'.
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It seems Fellaini was doomed to failure from the get-go, such was the nature of his arrival.
Transfer deadline day, last minute of what had been a frankly embarrassing summer for the club. Then we sign Fellaini for £4m more than his release clause which expired in June or so.
My question is would he have been judged quite as badly if he had been signed in early June for £23.5m, and then had the summer to train and work with the team?
I don't think he would ever set the world alight for us, but the circumstances of his transfer meant that a lot of fans had already made their minds up about Fellaini before he had even played for us. He had his moments this season, but as a result of the above, these moments are forgotten or dismissed as "so THATS what we paid £27m for?" - he can't really win at this stage short of turning into a different player, which he simply isn't.
Transfer deadline day, last minute of what had been a frankly embarrassing summer for the club. Then we sign Fellaini for £4m more than his release clause which expired in June or so.
My question is would he have been judged quite as badly if he had been signed in early June for £23.5m, and then had the summer to train and work with the team?
I don't think he would ever set the world alight for us, but the circumstances of his transfer meant that a lot of fans had already made their minds up about Fellaini before he had even played for us. He had his moments this season, but as a result of the above, these moments are forgotten or dismissed as "so THATS what we paid £27m for?" - he can't really win at this stage short of turning into a different player, which he simply isn't.
If you're that wrapped up in finance to completely ignore what a player does on the pitch then I think you're a bit mental.
Unbelievable. Why don't you just come out of the closet and admit that Fellaini is the next Zidane and that all we have to do is give him three or four seasons to prove it?
There is nothing with recognizing a player's strengths and weaknesses. Roy Keane was never a wide mid and Paul Scholes was never a defensive midfielder. But both we're brilliant midfielders. The quality of midfielders Manchester United should have in their regular starting XI be at or at least near that quality.
If you're suggesting that Marouane Fellaini will ever be near the quality of either Keane or Scholes one of the mods may have to relegate you to the newbie bin for a day.
If you're satisfied with the kind of play Fellaini delivered during his best days at Everton, fair play to you. But if you look carefully at the videos of his best days there, most of his best play came in a very advanced position. We can go in that direction if you like, but it would be at the expense of either RvP or Rooney. Which would you prefer sit down to make room for Fellaini? Or would you rather bench Mata in favor of Fellaini?
Most of us acknowledge that we need two central midfielders to begin the rebuilding. Attacking, box to box and defensive mids have all been linked to us. We'll see who Louis brings in, but it seems highly unlikely that he would build his midfield around Fellaini, who had plenty of opportunities to demonstrate his genius last season but produced zero productive work, apart from a handful of bad fouls, two or three of which should have resulted in straight red cards and if course that one knockdown ball to Wilson. He did have one goal against West Brom disallowed for offside -- I think it was the end of a Kagawa low cross and Fellaini got in beautifully but he was inches offside. THAT is where he does his best work and that is by no means an insult. Rooney does his best his best work in the penalty box too and not in midfield. You suffer the same delusion Fellaini himself suffers from, which is believing that he can be an effective deep lying midfielder. Yes, he was indeed quoted as saying that. For a club like Stoke he probably could be a productive deep lying midfielder, but for United no chance.
Would anyone object to keeping Fellaini on as a useful squad man? I'd have to read a few hundred posts to be sure but I don't think so. He can do a job, which is to say that he is not "shit on a stick", but he is definitely not a player we should ever view should be one of the first names on the squad sheet against City or Liverpool. But when Stoke or Palace come to town, Fellaini is more than capable of coping with the opponent.
Please don't go loco on us with another inane post, amigo. Or at least put down the crack pipe before the next post. Next thing coming from you could be a post claiming that Moyes was prematurely sacked and that he should have been allowed another season to get the best out of Fellaini, just like he did at Everton. Yes, we could building around Fellaini but if do that I don't want to see you complain about another seventh place finish.
Simply because you think you're right and another poster's wrong does not mean hes a newbie, should be moderated or that his opinion is invalid.
As it happened Fellaini has had many great games, man of the match against several major clubs - including us.
From Wiki:
In the opening game of the 2012–13 Premier League season against Manchester United, Fellaini received plaudits for his outstanding performance, as he scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory.[22] He continued the season in great form with goals against Arsenal, Manchester City, Sunderland and Fulham amongst others. Fellaini was subsequently awarded Premier League Player of the Month for November 2012. Link
Respect the opinions of others.
The trouble is that you quite clearly have absolutely no clue what Fellaini's strengths and weaknesses are yet continue to write long winded drivel thinking that you have a clue.
take your own advice.....
It's just completely fecking bizarre. People have absolutely no clue about what they're talking about but they'll arc up on the front foot as though it's gopel. It's unbelievable. I don't want to watch football through their eyes. It would be a seething hatefilled task, full of ridiculously high expectations..
The problem with Fellaini is that he's playing for the wrong club. His strengths are not what United need or represent.
I think it would be best for him to play for another club where his attributes would be needed and appreciated.
Just goes to show that Moyes didn't know what the feck he was doing. You didn't need to be a football genius to see Fellaini was not a United player. David Moyes wanted to turn us into Everton.
I think it would be best for him to play for another club where his attributes would be needed and appreciated.
Just goes to show that Moyes didn't know what the feck he was doing. You didn't need to be a football genius to see Fellaini was not a United player. David Moyes wanted to turn us into Everton.
For Everton. Not for United. He can't handle being at a big team.
[QUOTE="CantonaGiggs1, post: 15760347, member: 77860"
Just goes to show that Moyes didn't know what the feck he was doing. You didn't need to be a football genius to see Fellaini was not a United player. David Moyes wanted to turn us into Everton.[/QUOTE]
He wanted to turn us into a better version of Everton and ended up doing the exact opposite.
Just goes to show that Moyes didn't know what the feck he was doing. You didn't need to be a football genius to see Fellaini was not a United player. David Moyes wanted to turn us into Everton.[/QUOTE]
He wanted to turn us into a better version of Everton and ended up doing the exact opposite.
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That's quite a big statement to make, you may be right, however I think the jury is still out on that tbh. I wouldn't call us a big team last season either.
Fair assessment.
BANG! The Fellaini elbow knows no fear, he'll be back next season
I hope we ship him off to West Ham asap.BANG! The Fellaini elbow knows no fear, he'll be back next season
Januzaj should have had an assist in his debut for Belgium tonight, but who other than the mighty afro could ruin that?
The funny thing is that he was clumsy and over hit the pass it just so happened to turn out lucky.BANG! The Fellaini elbow knows no fear, he'll be back next season
Perhaps, perhaps not.
Footballers sometimes improve beyond recognition. Gareth Bale was poor for a good while before he became a star for example.
The main problem with Fellaini is his price tag - something he can't be held responsible for.
You mean between the age of 18 and 22? Fellaini is 27 next season, a touch different and incomparable players.
Players blossom at different ages, some young, some older. Cantona for example only exploded on the football scene much later in his career for example.
The funny thing is that people pick out the elbow and dont mention the way he played for the rest of the game. Also with respect to the featured elbow.... jesus h christ people.... We praised Roy Keane for far less than that. Its another of those things people have become fixated on and is a distraction from his real qualities and weaknesses.
BANG! The Fellaini elbow knows no fear, he'll be back next season
The sell on that dive was outrageous. Nobody was buying. Nice assist. Shit on a stick footballer.. 
.LVG isnt the Messiah.. No hope for the big guy..
The thing with Fellaini is, people wrap him up in some sort of a package with Moyes and hurl insults in his direction as though he's the one to blame for the appointment of Moyes and his own transfer from Everton. They don't even want to give him a fair chance 'cos he reminds them too much of Moyes. I think that's extremely unfair for a player who has hardly gotten a decent run of games due to injury.
Anyway, let's see how our players fare under a better manager. I'm sure, we can make an educated decision about him by December this year if he does get a place in the team under Van Gaal...
Possibly, as he'll be playing under a far better manager with a pre-determined philosophy he will look to implement immediately, while hopefully adding a real injection of quality to the first team. All those factors should bode well for Fellaini, who isn't a poor player despite what some will have you believe. That logic applies to any player coming off of the season we've just had however.
I don't think van Gaal will favour him as it is, when he demands a high level of technique and tactical intelligence from his team. If he doesn't leave this summer, I expect any role he has in the team will be as a box-to-box midfielder, as he doesn't possess the passing ability and reading of the game to act as a pivot in LVG's system. The downside is, we will probably target an energetic and industrious midfielder who can contribute offensively and defensively and we have Rooney who has been mooted for that role by some Dutch journos too.
I think whatever role he goes on to have here, it will be in a small capacity, so don't expect a vast improvement. Additionally, if we can recoup even half of the fee we paid Everton for him, I wouldn't be adverse to seeing him leave.
I don't think van Gaal will favour him as it is, when he demands a high level of technique and tactical intelligence from his team. If he doesn't leave this summer, I expect any role he has in the team will be as a box-to-box midfielder, as he doesn't possess the passing ability and reading of the game to act as a pivot in LVG's system. The downside is, we will probably target an energetic and industrious midfielder who can contribute offensively and defensively and we have Rooney who has been mooted for that role by some Dutch journos too.
I think whatever role he goes on to have here, it will be in a small capacity, so don't expect a vast improvement. Additionally, if we can recoup even half of the fee we paid Everton for him, I wouldn't be adverse to seeing him leave.
I don't see much problem in that "elbow" episode, but jesus christ, "the way he played"? How exactly do you expect him to play against Luxembourg? Some guys there are probably not a pro-footballers.
He was in fact great. That's not a joke, i watched the game on and off, he did well, seen some good passes, interceptions even dribbling. But... Luxembourg, really? I think everything good he has done in this game should banned from discussion on thi forum as an irreelevant off-topic
I think a full season under his belt injury free. If he can impress in pre-season and have a good tour of the US with the lads. Make some form of impact to win a starting berth I think that's a fair effort. Depending on the comings and goings if he can start the season as our starting midfielder I think he deserves some credit. Or we can call LVG a loon for it.
I feel something like will bring the moaners out of the woodwork again and cause them to question his inclusion. Same goes for any other player who gets the nod to start the season. A la Cleverley in his thread.
Can't wait for the transfer season...
Watched the 2nd half of Belgium's match on bet365...wasn't especially impressive, so don't know what exactly Marc Wilmots was on about when criticising United (Moyes) for playing him in the wrong position. To me, he was playing in the 2 in a 4-2-3-1, which he was for United too!
Yep, there are more pressing matters in midfield that need attending to. Such as the age and suitability at this level of Carrick and whether Fletcher needs replacing by someone who will play 30+ games a season with venom.
You're fecking kidding me right? Liverpool have been shit for years and they're still a big team. We're a global brand with millions of fans worldwide....bad season or not. Fellaini can't cut it at one of the biggest clubs in the world and he never will.
Bale is only 23 and LB clearly was never going to be his role, even when we were linked with him as a teen people thought Fergie was going to convert him and make him the next Giggs. Fellaini is 26. His window for exponential growth/improvement is very small.
That is a pile of nonsense. No one was saying such. People argued that perhaps he could be converted into a winger but the next Giggs! Are you having a laugh?
The guy was a laughing stock at Spurs for over a year and most on here were relieved we didn't go for him. His rise over the last 2-2.5 seasons has been nothing short of meteoric. So let's not behave as if he was always going to become a winger and that too a good one.
Back to the point, I am not sure how much, if any, will Fellaini improve under LvG. My main issue is his rather lazy nature on the pitch where he seems to be ambling. He is no Zidane who can pull off that sort of demeanor on the pitch. He needs to add some urgency to his game and I am not sure if he can do so. And without that LvG may find him not useful enough to even keep around.
People don't wrap him with Moyes or blame him for the transfer. Most didn't want him here, Moyes or no Moyes. Much like Young where people felt he was not good enough for the club. And he has done nothing so far to prove them wrong. This assumption that he is being unfairly criticized because he was a Moyes player is nonsense. You don't see people bitching on about Mata because he was a Moyes player and bought in January.
Fellaini has played decently in some games against mediocre opposition. However, the moment the opponent's quality improved, his performances dropped drastically. Not something you associate with a player of real quality.
Again, personal fan critique of 'biggest and bestest clubs in the world' means nothing to an individual player's ability to adapt/mould/grow into a system at any club big or small. The only benefit that fits this criteria is he had to hit the ground running without a proper pre-season with the first team and found that difficult. This US tour will prove different I hope.
I do feel sorry Fellaini. I really do think he was a panic signing because we'd failed to land other targets. We ended up utilising him in a defensive role that doesn't suit him at all. Fellaini lacks the discipline, awareness and defensive abilities to be a holding mid in the modern game and he looked totally at sea playing there against the better teams. That's absolutely not his fault but it is what it is. I think Fellaini would be a good option to keep at the club so long as he's played in a more forward role. Having said that, I am really not confident he'll do more than come on from the bench for Van Gaal and I don't know that I'd want to see him doing any more than that for us in area of the pitch where we have plenty of better options. For the sake of Fellaini's career he should probably be sold on. Moyes really did the guy no favours last season and his time at United will be seen as a flop when he just wasn't what we needed. I am sure he'll go somewhere else and do well.
Having a laugh? These things were said by many people and don't call it nonsense because you have a short memory. Giggs was always Bale's idol and we thought getting his signature would be a formality until Soton agreed terms with Spurs.
"Arsenal chased his signature, with the Gunners viewing him as a replacement for Ashley Cole, while Sir Alex Ferguson tipped the young Welshman as the eventual successor to Ryan Giggs' throne at Old Trafford.
Read more at http://talksport.com/magazine/featu...picture-bale-signs-202755#dkuZTrMp9BVwpKss.99
"Ferguson had originally identified Bale as a promising left-back but could now be forgiven for wondering whether he lost out on a player who could have been the long-term replacement for Ryan Giggs on the left side of United's attack." Guardian, 2011
So where's my fvcking pile of nonsense? Giggs and Fergie were talking 17 year old Bale up and it got the United fans talking. You just dont remember, clearly.
Lets see what LVG thinks, especially after he purchases Strootman and another good midfielder. Fellaini doesn't have a chance. It doesnt take much to see he's simply not up to scratch. The best preseason won't spare him the chop under the ruthless LVG
He only a couple of times played as the out and out 'holding' player and produced four displays worthy of note, defensively. Villa where he made 5 of 6 tackles, WBA where he made 5 of 6 tackles and Cardiff where he made 4 of 6 tackles. The other being against Hull where he completed 4 of 4 tackles while playing in behind the front striker.
I think we can now dispense with the 'he can't defend, he won't be a DM, isn't a good enough tackler and doesn't have defensive awareness'. He quite bluntly has shown that in his game, if the only thing. Puzzling stuff to be trying to dispute it.
I like how you've casually just thrown in 'when we sign' there like it's going to happen. If and when we sign a proper ball winning midfielder we'll instantly see the rewards of a boost into the combination play of that midfield. He can more than happily replace Fletcher or Carrick as the main defensive option in my books. A proper ball winning DM is something we've not had since 09.
edit: Above, not all of those performance were as 'holding' players. Most were box to box. Or the dynamic midfield partner to the static player.
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That's because Bale is British, plays on the left, and is a left footer as well. Almost the same reason why Bojan was referred to as the next Messi (apart from them being of different nationalities)