Well that's just nonsense. Are you honestly comparing Sissoko's input for a (trophyless) Spurs to Fellaini's contribution for us last season?
Fellaini | Mou: "It's easier for Galatasaray to get me than Marouane. He is too important to me."
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Well that's just nonsense. Are you honestly comparing Sissoko's input for a (trophyless) Spurs to Fellaini's contribution for us last season?
I for one am glad he's staying. He's improved under Jose and the boss is happy with what he gives us. Ok, he's never going to be more than just a useful option but he gives everything to the cause.
Sorry for the trouble. I'd probably have tracked that notion if I wasn't having a temperature atm.
Fellaini has won some points in my book with his cup contributions, yet my final evaluation of him hasn't changed. This is coming from someone who really liked Park Ji Sung and Fletcher.
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Do they? Who exactly does that?
Our main players have underperformed far more than our squad players have. Fellaini is not the reason we've had a rough few years
Delighted he's staying. Wins the ball, plays it simple to a better player and causes havoc in the box (ok sometimes his own!)
I never understand how fans can constantly bash their own player. Yes, he's no Zidane but he's one of our own. This guy has my respect so much. After the dogs abuse he gets from United fans, the worst being the booing at OT, he has always been a top professional. If people would get out of their own arses, they would realise he's not that bad of a player.
Just imagine how good he would be, if he had our support, confidence from the fans. Just support the lad.
Just imagine how good he would be, if he had our support, confidence from the fans. Just support the lad.
should be moaning at mourinho tho
He's a modern day PJS who gives his all for the club when ever he get's his chance. Neither are/were the most gifted players to ever grace OT but they both bring/brought something to the table that makes them worth playing.
For me PJS was one of my favourites. While Fellaini is that I can see what he brings to the team.
I think he could give RM a question that they need to answer next Tuesday if played.
Well, no, he's not. The reason is that we have too many players who "can do a job" and "work hard" and "do what the manager wants" as opposed to players who are actually quite good at football. Fellaini is not the whole problem but he's part of it and one of the most frustrating parts, too.
He reminds me of the story of the 300 Spartans. The might of Xerxes' Persian army, said to number in the millions, was bearing down on the Greeks, who were still in a state of disarray and nowhere near finished with their preparations. It was decided that the Spartans would send 300 troops, along with one of their kings, Leonidas, to a narrow pass at Thermopylae, to temporarily halt the invasion, giving the rest of the Greeks time to organise themselves. Thanks to the bravery of Leonidas and his men, the Persians took several days to break through the Spartan ranks. In fact, the historian Herodatus, tells us that it was thanks to the treachery of a local shepherd, called Ephialtes, which prevented the Spartans from holding out for longer, as he showed the Persians a way round their defences, enabling them to be encircled.
In many ways, when the odds are stacked against Manchester United, we have needed a Leonidas type of figure, to beat back the advancing opposition hordes and hold firm so that we can grasp victory from the jaws of defeat. We have looked to Marouane Fellaini to be our Leonidas.
Except he's Ephialtes
In many ways, when the odds are stacked against Manchester United, we have needed a Leonidas type of figure, to beat back the advancing opposition hordes and hold firm so that we can grasp victory from the jaws of defeat. We have looked to Marouane Fellaini to be our Leonidas.
Except he's Ephialtes
Love that comment from Mourinho.
Also, Galatasaray offer is a piss-take in today's market. He is a valuable option to have, whether some here like it or not.
Also, Galatasaray offer is a piss-take in today's market. He is a valuable option to have, whether some here like it or not.
Hope we don't give him a massive contract though, then struggle to shift him if/when/hopefully a more progressive manager takes over.
I've said it before and I'll say it again he's not the best around but hes not a bad option to have.
He has a particular set of skills, one's that he has aquaired over a long career. If he leaves now that'll be the end of it but if he stays, he will look for an opponent, he will find an opponent and he will elbow them.
He has a particular set of skills, one's that he has aquaired over a long career. If he leaves now that'll be the end of it but if he stays, he will look for an opponent, he will find an opponent and he will elbow them.
Couldn't agree more. Delighted to see him do well cause I know it gives his haters no ammunition. Apart from the usual "B-B-BUT HES A TREE" bollocks
He's like modern version of Park if you also take into account differences between SAF teams and those post 2013. As in the workhorse for title winning team and that for a team finishing 6th.
He reminds me of the story of the 300 Spartans. The might of Xerxes' Persian army, said to number in the millions, was bearing down on the Greeks, who were still in a state of disarray and nowhere near finished with their preparations. It was decided that the Spartans would send 300 troops, along with one of their kings, Leonidas, to a narrow pass at Thermopylae, to temporarily halt the invasion, giving the rest of the Greeks time to organise themselves. Thanks to the bravery of Leonidas and his men, the Persians took several days to break through the Spartan ranks. In fact, the historian Herodatus, tells us that it was thanks to the treachery of a local shepherd, called Ephialtes, which prevented the Spartans from holding out for longer, as he showed the Persians a way round their defences, enabling them to be encircled.
In many ways, when the odds are stacked against Manchester United, we have needed a Leonidas type of figure, to beat back the advancing opposition hordes and hold firm so that we can grasp victory from the jaws of defeat. We have looked to Marouane Fellaini to be our Leonidas.
Except he's Ephialtes
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wizna
Don't think we will finish 6th this season and Fellaini will play his part. I can't say we will win the league as there are too many good teams in it but we will be there about's and Fellaini will play his part.
Easy top 4 and challenging for the league IMHO.
He reminds me of the story of the 300 Spartans. The might of Xerxes' Persian army, said to number in the millions, was bearing down on the Greeks, who were still in a state of disarray and nowhere near finished with their preparations. It was decided that the Spartans would send 300 troops, along with one of their kings, Leonidas, to a narrow pass at Thermopylae, to temporarily halt the invasion, giving the rest of the Greeks time to organise themselves. Thanks to the bravery of Leonidas and his men, the Persians took several days to break through the Spartan ranks. In fact, the historian Herodatus, tells us that it was thanks to the treachery of a local shepherd, called Ephialtes, which prevented the Spartans from holding out for longer, as he showed the Persians a way round their defences, enabling them to be encircled.
In many ways, when the odds are stacked against Manchester United, we have needed a Leonidas type of figure, to beat back the advancing opposition hordes and hold firm so that we can grasp victory from the jaws of defeat. We have looked to Marouane Fellaini to be our Leonidas.
Except he's Ephialtes
Ermm. The modern spin on the battle of Thermopylae is a very different one from the reality as described by contemporary sources and historians. For the Greeks it was a complete failure and an unmitigated disaster. It wasn't a suicide mission, it was a mission gone very very wrong. Athens burned because of that failure.
Being brave but completely bungling a job sounds very much like Fellaini. Maybe him and Leo have more in common than most people think.
At the time Spurs was on a similiar level as Everton is now and Gylfi is a much better player now. Now he can even play well in a 2 man midfield.. So i guess no one should get a 2nd chance ?
For example Victor Moses was not outstanding for Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham but got another chance last season which worked well for his team and himself!
And even as in a two mans midfield, at the time I think most never thought it would work but he is a much better player now after Lagerback used him there. Now he is creative and hardworking midfielder/attacking midfielder
Its the ones supposedly good at football that have been most at fault. The likes of Fellaini and Lingard shouldn't have been getting lots of games because the others should be irreplaceable. They at least perform to their level
We bought him and knew his style. Just don't like how people use him as a scapegoat. If his in a UTD shirt and giving 100% then nothing else matters!
Very disappointing comments from Mou. People against the sale seem to have two arguments; "The basic math defence" and the "he's not always an abomination" argument.
The first one is the more valid. He does exist. It's fair to recognise this fact. However this is only a positive if he plays well a reasonable percentage of the time, doesn't negatively effect the performances of others/the team and doesn't prevent a better player from taking his place.
Such considerations bring us to the second argument, and a judgement of his impact as a player. Now, it's correct that he has had appearances where he didn't immediately stand out as terrible. In such games he's typically achieved competence, managing to successfully pass the ball, albeit in a thoroughly unimpressive and non impactful way. He's also had the odd game when his physicality has troubled the opposition and he's even managed an important goal or two along the way.
My question would be, when did that become enough? To find him wanting is not a personal attack against him, nor is it a failure to appreciate the above mentioned achievements. No, it's a reasonable and fair assessment of his unquestionable limitations and it's a demonstration of the most basic levels of standards and ambition we should be demanding from our club.
In his absence, others would have an opportunity. Should they fail, they too would need replacing - such are the basic principles of any club striving for success.
Mourinho failing to recognise these facts should be an alarm bell to all fans. Having had three transfer windows, having spent hundreds of millions on players, he still considers Fellaini vital to his plans and vital to the type of football he wants played. We will not be successful with such thinking.
The first one is the more valid. He does exist. It's fair to recognise this fact. However this is only a positive if he plays well a reasonable percentage of the time, doesn't negatively effect the performances of others/the team and doesn't prevent a better player from taking his place.
Such considerations bring us to the second argument, and a judgement of his impact as a player. Now, it's correct that he has had appearances where he didn't immediately stand out as terrible. In such games he's typically achieved competence, managing to successfully pass the ball, albeit in a thoroughly unimpressive and non impactful way. He's also had the odd game when his physicality has troubled the opposition and he's even managed an important goal or two along the way.
My question would be, when did that become enough? To find him wanting is not a personal attack against him, nor is it a failure to appreciate the above mentioned achievements. No, it's a reasonable and fair assessment of his unquestionable limitations and it's a demonstration of the most basic levels of standards and ambition we should be demanding from our club.
In his absence, others would have an opportunity. Should they fail, they too would need replacing - such are the basic principles of any club striving for success.
Mourinho failing to recognise these facts should be an alarm bell to all fans. Having had three transfer windows, having spent hundreds of millions on players, he still considers Fellaini vital to his plans and vital to the type of football he wants played. We will not be successful with such thinking.
Indeed. I will happily admit I don't like him being here, for reasons unrelated to his performances, which can easily be construed as unobjective and bias, but I'll also be just as happy to admit when he's had a good game, and praise him accordingly. I was at the Europa League Final, and I think my first (probably very drunken) post on here was in the Fellaini thread, enthusiastically appreciating how good he'd been in that game. The trouble is, that every game where I've felt such a need to do so, has invariably been one where we didn't play well, and/or ended up abandoning any aspirations of fluid attack in favour of pandering to his strengths of long ball physicality. Which isn't his fault, per say, but is still nevertheless only an option because of him.
Which isn't to say I'd rather we lose well without him, than win ugly with. It's more the genuine belief that we can only push on and evolve as a top team by removing him, and any fleeting reliance on his skillset, as an option. The Fledglings only came into their Treble winning own once their reliance on Cantona was removed, and the Roo-Ron double winners only found their goalscoring feet after RVN left ("Where will the goals come from!?") Fellaini is like a much much shitter, motorway service station bargain bucket bin version of that. It's less to do with how well he does his job, and more to do with the fact his 'job' exists in the first place.
Whilst he remains here, I'll continue to celebrate his goals, and praise his good performances, but I'll also likely remain steadfast in the belief that we'd be a much better prospect without him.
This attitude is exactly the problem. We expect far more from the more talented players which is logical to an extent - but we give way too many opportunities to players who do the basics but nothing more. Then we blame the creative players for not doing it all on their own.
Quite simply, if Fellaini plays as much as Mkhitaryan or Mata - and he played more than either of them last season - then the expectations of him also must be higher. Same goes for Lingard. Giving these players lots of games does hold us back. Ashley Young is mediocre but at least he barely plays so he rightly gets more leeway than Martial.
Agree with all of it, especially bolded parts.
It feels like to get the best out of him we have to play a brand of football that I don't enjoy quite frankly. Having him as the Plan B option is a crutch that we could do without.
It's the hope that kills you. What Mou sees in him I'll never know but he's had more years of management experience than me so will let it go. Hope he is just an impact sub this year though.
I'm talking about Sigurdsson.
It makes absolutely no sense to sell him at this stage, unless another top addition is lined up. The truth is...he is a squad player, there are no illusions there, particularly with Matic now arriving his game time will be lessened. Matic has an immaculate fitness record I believe.
Yes Fellaini isn't the requisite quality for the first 11 vision that Jose is building, however his performances (when fully focused) are disciplined and effective. When lacking in focus and confidence he is a liability, however Jose has man managed him very well, fostering loyalty and building that confidence we saw at the back end of last season. He is extracting the best he can out of a limited player. Ferguson had the same knack.
I see Fellaini gradually being phased out over the next 2 seasons when the club inevitably signs another 1-2 better midfielders or McTominay makes a giant leap forward. Until then he remains an experienced option and I think it is unwise to underestimate his popularity and influence in the dressing room. He obviously has the support and admiration of his peers and that is crucial in terms of creating trust and understanding on the pitch. Jose knows how important these bonds are to creating a winning team.
Yes Fellaini isn't the requisite quality for the first 11 vision that Jose is building, however his performances (when fully focused) are disciplined and effective. When lacking in focus and confidence he is a liability, however Jose has man managed him very well, fostering loyalty and building that confidence we saw at the back end of last season. He is extracting the best he can out of a limited player. Ferguson had the same knack.
I see Fellaini gradually being phased out over the next 2 seasons when the club inevitably signs another 1-2 better midfielders or McTominay makes a giant leap forward. Until then he remains an experienced option and I think it is unwise to underestimate his popularity and influence in the dressing room. He obviously has the support and admiration of his peers and that is crucial in terms of creating trust and understanding on the pitch. Jose knows how important these bonds are to creating a winning team.
He might not be everyone's cup of tea, but Jose loves him, if you're prepared to give Jose the benefit of the doubt on players he decides to sign, you should also extend that courtesy to existing players he decides to keep.
That's all there is to say on the matter.
That's all there is to say on the matter.
How many goals and assists has he contributed off the bench in games we were chasing?
He was class in the last competitive game he played, which was also a European final. Not just physically, but with the ball. Deserves another season, and if he can maintain that level when called upon he'll be an asset. Would keep over others around the squad.
That said, I don't want him coming on to be a tree when we're chasing a game, would rather have more creative players there. He's fine as a cm option alone.
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Moyes bought him and knew his style, and aside from Mata - who was clearly more of a PR influenced panic buy than any shrewd foresight on Moyes part - everything about our current situation stems from his uniquely disastrous tenure. I'll admit it's unfair on Fellaini as a person to have shouldered this symbolic burden for 3+ years, but it's an inescapable truth that Fellaini as a player is ground zero for our post-Fergie decline.
That's all nice and well in theory, but a side like United can't maintain their status on good old fashioned grit and good will alone. This is the club famed for the free flowing football of the Busby Babes, the lazy, partially fulfilled talent of George Best, the self destructive ego of Eric Cantona and even the self important glamour of Beckham and Ronaldo. This isn't a club that's attained it's elite global status by tolerating an ethos of bland, honest, try hardary.
You could attend any non-league game and hear the fans tear strips off their players for not being good enough, even by their lowered standards, so while I understand the honourable 'salt of the earth' ethos youre promoting, I can't help but find it a naively poor fit for football, and in general, let alone for one of its most famous and romantically attractive clubs.
And sure, I agree some of the reactionary personal bile directed at Fellaini is daft and OTT. But id still disagree with the idea he should be beyond reproach just for trying hard. We could have an entire team full of likeable passionate try hards, but if we ever want to retain our status as one of the biggest and most prestigious clubs in the world, we need to hold our players to higher standards than that.
But i imagine none of that will be Fellaini's fault, same with Lingard. All our failures are down to more talented players not performing apparently.
Right on cue.
Jose in "come and get me" plea to Galatasaray. Looking to do a Moyes and take Fellaini with him.
Am I reading this right?
Am I reading this right?
Is this guy never going to leave. Bloody hell.
Honestly, no need to write all that shit to try make youself look smart or something, because obviously you got no idea about anything. You talk like Mourinho and everyone think Fellaini is the best player in the club and he should play every minute of the season. You completely fail to see his role in this squad, and yet you think you know better than Moyes, LvG and Mourinho. Just lmao
I like the big fella, just not as a starter. Useful squad player that adds chaos factor in the final third.
Gala's 10 million offer in the current market is not an offer, its an insult.
Gala's 10 million offer in the current market is not an offer, its an insult.
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