Since coming to United, Marouane Fellaini has been booed, cheered and even applauded. After a troublesome first season under David Moyes, the Belgium international has really proved his worth under Van Gaal. When the situation required, Fellaini could come on and seemingly change a game with his huge presence and ability to hold up the ball, but with all the new signings made by LVG this season, is there still space for him in the team?
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| Misery for Marouane: The midfielder suffered a poor debut season at United
David Moyse's deadline day signing Marouane Fellaini was the Scots first United buy as manager, after working with him successfully at Everton where he was one of the top players. Known for his aerial ability, strength and goal scoring knack, United fans were mostly pleased with the signing, especially when they remembered the problems the Belgium man caused for them in previous encounters with Everton. However the then, United No.31 struggled to fit into the United side, contributing 0 goals in his first season, making only 21 appearances, in comparison to 36 appearances, in his final season at Everton.
While criticisms were heaped upon David Moyes as Uniteds season got worse, certain players were also taking the heat from the United fans, notably players like Tom Cleverly and of course Marouane Fellaini. Additionally, slight injures continued to plague the former Everton man throughout the season and perhaps being asked to play in a deeper midfield role, hindered his form, either way by the end of 2013-14, Fellaini seemed to be on his way out of the club.
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| All smiles: Van Gaal helped rejuvenate the Belgian in his second season
With the arrival of Van Gaal, there was plenty of speculation as to the arrivals and exits, concerning the United squad. With the likes of Tom Cleverly, Danny Welbeck and Nani all being shipped off, many fans might have been surprised about the retaining of Marouane Fellaini after such a poor previous season. However it would seem that Van Gaal's retention of the former Goodison park man paid off, as the midfielder would go onto score some important goals later on in the season.
"I am a coach who likes creative players, but in England you need physical bodies in your team" The reds boss said following a 2-2 draw with West Brom with Fellaini scoring a late equaliser "Fellaini is one of these players". Following his goal at the Hawthorns, Fellaini was given his first start of the season in the following home game vs Chelsea, ending with some impressive stats, as well as assisting the dramatic late equaliser from Robin Van Persie. The Big Belgian covered 12.17 Kilometres in the game, the most by any United player and put in 70 high intensity runs, the most by any player on the pitch. Finally he assisted Robin Van Persie's late equaliser against Jose Mourinho's men, heading the ball down from a free kick for the Dutch striker to smash home. Old Trafford was rocking.
More impressive performances were to follow, it would seem the Belgian gave United a different style of play, they could finally play more aerial balls and consequently were more dangerous from set pieces due to Fellaini's incredible height (6 ft 5) and strength. Fellaini would go on to score more goals against the likes of QPR, Stoke (notably a super flying header) and Preston in the FA cup. Fellaini's best form of the season was still yet to come, in early March the red devils faced Tottenham Hotspur, which represented the start of a six game run, where they would come up against Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea in quick succession, they were must win games for United as they would surely decide the top 4 which was invaluable to United as it would mean Champions league football.
Fantastic Felli: The Belgium International celebrates scoring vs City
Fellaini played a huge part in this busy period for the reds, he scored in the first game vs Tottenham aswell as assisting Michael Carrick, he caused problems for Liverpool at Anfield and went onto score a bullet header against 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City, this was Fellaini's best spell in a red shirt. He ended the season on a low unfortunately, being sent off on the final day against Hull City.
All in all, I think many would agree Fellaini's second season was much better and even go as far as to say that he was on of United's better players. The question is now that in his third season at Old Trafford, will the target man get in the team? With new midfield additions in the shape of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, it would seem the man from Brussels may face competition for places, with of course Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick fighting for a starting position. One thing Marouane Fellaini has over his fellow midfielders is flexibility. Louis Van Gaal said in his pre-match press conference in Brugges tonight: "He can play as a No.9 and a No.10 and he can also play as a No.6 and No.8"
Perhaps the flexibility of Fellaini will win him brownie points with Van Gaal as he has always re-iterated he prefers "Multi-functional players over specialists" and this may get him more game time. His ability to hold up the ball and win aerial battles is second to none, even the best of premier league defences struggle to cope with him, evidently shown in the way he scored and contributed to goals against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea last season.
A Fellaini Finish: The big red devil slots home against Tottenham
However perhaps there is a hint that Fellaini will play just as much, or maybe even more than last season. Van Gaal in his pre-match press conference in Brugge in tonight spoke of Fellaini's future role in the team this year: "This year he will play more as a No.9 and No.10 as rather than 6 and 8 because there we have other players" Is Van Gaal about to pull another rabbit out of his hat and turn Marouanne Fellaini into an out and out striker? Either way, putting Marouane Fellaini in and around the final third causes all sorts of problems,as a striker or playing as the number 10, he gives United a new edge and a different dimension, he can hold off defenders and win the headers that perhaps fellow forwards can't. He certainly adds threat at set pieces, which may be something to consider, bearing in mind United's poor league form, when their finishing from open play has been non existent in their first three games.
Van Gaal has many options on where to put the former Everton man, thinking about United's rather small selection of strikers in Rooney, Hernandez and Wilson, perhaps he'll put his faith in him there to lead the line, certainly many more crosses will be met and while his disciplinary record may be something to look out for, Marouane Fellaini possesses unique qualities which other United players don't. The Belgian will be hoping to build on a successful season from last year and playing as a striker,he may do exactly that, should he find the net on a regular basis.
"Last season I did quite well and I want to continue" The Belgian told journalists alongside his manager at a press conference tonight in Brugge "I know my team mates, the manager and his philosophy, I am looking to do well and score goals". |
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