Fellaini | Mou: "It's easier for Galatasaray to get me than Marouane. He is too important to me."

[stevoc]

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.

That sums up how i feel about Fellaini also. He is a crutch that managers fall back on, under two managers we have come to use him to launch balls up to while chasing games despite it hardly ever being effective. If the option were removed i would hope we would find a more effective way of rescuing games that would hopefully be more pleasing on the eye also. Ferguson managed it for a quarter of a century without resorting to hoof ball every time. So we know it is possible.

I accept that Mourinho considers him important to his plans, but i'll be honest i'm not overly excited to see what these plans are if Fellaini is considered vitally important to them.

 

[Still ill]

I'm talking about Sigurdsson.

Oops. As you were.

 

[MadMike]

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.

Behave.

He's a 29yo much maligned squad player on the final year of his contract and he is clearly not wanted by any of the bigger sides (if Galata are the most credible destination).

£10m is still a lot of money for leagues like the Turkish one. Especially for a player who is neither marketable nor is he going to elevate the level of football Galata play.

 

[Moby]

the Roo-Ron double winners only found their goalscoring feet after RVN left

One of the worst myths that's peddled on the caf.

 

[TheRedHearted]

For me, Fellaini is everything Mou wants for what he does. I don't remember him being used more so as an advanced player rather than a pest in the middle of the park, winning balls and linking up play, which he is excellent as. Best chest in the world and he flexes it in the middle and physically bosses anyone in that area. He defines what Mou likes, tough, disciplined (well positioning and role wise, not those stupid tackles) and just a nuisance to deal with.

 

[The_Order]

Behave.

He's a 29yo much maligned squad player on the final year of his contract and he is clearly not wanted by any of the bigger sides (if Galata are the most credible destination).

£10m is still a lot of money for leagues like the Turkish one. Especially for a player who is neither marketable nor is he going to elevate the level of football Galata play.

You behave,

All of that applies to Matic - yet we are forking over 40 million for him.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

One of the worst myths that's peddled on the caf.

It only partly is with Rooney's inclusion, since his productivity stays about the same with/without RvN, but it is definitely true for Ronaldo. The two of them don't get along for a start and RvN's status as the big dog in the team means that Ronaldo had to be a creator/supplier instead of the focal point of our attk as he would become.

 

[Klopp_De_Klown]

I'm talking about Sigurdsson.

No offence but then maybe you should head off to the Sigurdsson thread. Or get back on the topic of Fellaini.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

You behave,

All of that applies to Matic - yet we are forking over 40 million for him.

Matic is a starter in the League Champions line up, and we want him bad enough to fork out that much money.

 

[MadMike]

You behave,

All of that applies to Matic - yet we are forking over 40 million for him.

None of that applies to Matic, you just need to bring your knowledge up to speed.

- Matic was a starter for the team that won the title twice in 3 years. Fellaini a squad player for the team that finished 4th, 5th, 6th.
- Matic is wanted by United and Juventus. Fellaini is wanted by Galata.
- Matic has 2 years remaining on his contract. Fellaini has one.

 

[Klopp_De_Klown]

Ok so whats going on, Gala pres confirms they are in talks...

Yet Jose says he is never for sale...

So the wise bet is the truth is somewhere in the middle. Could it be that Jose has decided 10M is not enough? And is squezing them for a little more. And to be fair Jose is not beyond doing a little mind games, he is shrewd operator.

 

[evil_geko]

You behave,

All of that applies to Matic - yet we are forking over 40 million for him.

Comparing Matić to Fellaini...

This forum has literally gone bonkers!

 

[Wibble]

Mourinho trying to up the fee a bit I'd say

 

[Rada]

Comparing Matić to Fellaini...

This forum has literally gone bonkers!

If you think Matic is much different than Fellaini then you are in for a huge surprise, his passing is sometimes better but yeah

 

[NoPace]

I'm ideologically opposed to him being on the team, but having watched every game, I think he's had a very strong pre-season. Looks much calmer on the ball than he has in previous years of meaningless friendlies. Still can't be trusted to not lose whoever he's marking, though.

 

[The_Order]

Comparing Matić to Fellaini...

This forum has literally gone bonkers!

Alright, first of all, I never said Matic wasn't good. Only that he is considered surplus to requirements at Chelsea.

Matic is a starter in the League Champions line up, and we want him bad enough to fork out that much money.

So? what does that have to do with my original post?

None of that applies to Matic, you just need to bring your knowledge up to speed.

- Matic was a starter for the team that won the title twice in 3 years. Fellaini a squad player for the team that finished 4th, 5th, 6th.
- Matic is wanted by United and Juventus. Fellaini is wanted by Galata.
- Matic has 2 years remaining on his contract. Fellaini has one.

and how does that equate to Fellaini being worth £10 million in a market where Sigurdsson can't be had for 45?

You are not understanding me, I wasn't saying Matic isn't worth 40, I am saying Fellaini is worth more than 10.

Aren't you tired of us paying over the odds, while selling for peanuts?

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

[QUOTE="The_Order, post: 21261873, member: 81307]

So? what does that have to do with my original post?[/QUOTE]

You said all of that applied to Fellaini. Last I checked he isn't a first XI starter and secondly no one seems willing to fork out 40m for him.

The other part of your post is wrong as well, Matic is hardly surplus to requirements at Chelsea, however at his age and the price we are willing to pay, it makes good business sense for them to sell, something SAF did with Stan for example.

 

[AlecHDR]

Wouldn't sell him personally but if we are to entertain the idea, anything under $20m is a joke.

 

[stevoc]

Alright, first of all, I never said Matic wasn't good. Only that he is considered surplus to requirements at Chelsea.

So? what does that have to do with my original post?


and how does that equate to Fellaini being worth £10 million in a market where Sigurdsson can't be had for 45?

You are not understanding me, I wasn't saying Matic isn't worth 40, I am saying Fellaini is worth more than 10.

Aren't you tired of us paying over the odds, while selling for peanuts?

United is the worlds richest club, and also one of the highest payers, even a squad player like Lingard makes £100k per week for example. When we are buying clubs know they can charge more, but when we are selling usually to clubs that are not nearly as rich then we have to accept smaller fees. Especially as our players are often on salaries most teams can't match.

If we decided to sell Fellaini theres no one capable or willing to pay £40m or probably even £20m who would be interested in buying him.

 

[RedPnutz]

At least "Red Cafe geniuses" have their own opinion and not are not in "Manager knows best" blind sheep mode.

The "Why don't you go manage the team if you know better etc...." is the worst cliche argument from the sheep brigade.

Jose knows best! Close the forums then, lock all the threads, make the final RAWK assimilation!

It's stupid to think that just because fans don't agree with hating a player means those fans are blind sheep. It is simply an opinion that most fans are idiots who think they know better than the manager. Some fans are of the opinion that the views of the manager should be trusted.

 

[hobbers]

Honestly no idea why people would rather we had another £10m in the bank (£17m loss ofc) than Fellaini on the bench.

Obviously the idea of him starting a CL quarter final match for us is pretty abhorrent, but having him as an option is worth a hell of a lot.

 

[red_devil83]

Honestly no idea why people would rather we had another £10m in the bank (£17m loss ofc) than Fellaini on the bench.

Obviously the idea of him starting a CL quarter final match for us is pretty abhorrent, but having him as an option is worth a hell of a lot.

If he's no longer at the club then it removes all risk of him ever starting another game

 

[Red_Orchestra]

I'm kind of glad hes staying, decent utility player who is very tall, we definitely shouldn't sell our tall players.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I wouldn't mind him staying for another few seasons.

 

[Nucks]

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

The Spartans sent 300, in a force that was over 7,000. Then somehow claimed all the glory.

 

[sammsky1]

It's stupid to think that just because fans don't agree with hating a player means those fans are blind sheep. It is simply an opinion that most fans are idiots who think they know better than the manager. Some fans are of the opinion that the views of the manager should be trusted.

Especially a manager like Mourinho.

Bet yeah, keyboard FM warriors know more than him. How dare you question that?

 

[Mockney]

One of the worst myths that's peddled on the caf.

And if so, I'm more than happy to be proved wrong. After all, we're all liable to be swayed by confirmation bias, or an alluring romantic narrative.

All I have to go on are the facts, which from what I gather, say we won more (games & trophies) scored more (by 11 in the league, though I admit I was too lazy to tally just how many more our FA Cup final & CL semi final runs gained on our previous 5th round & Group Stage exits - I just assumed it was probably a lot) and played better (Okay, not so much a fact as a widely accepted consensus, but hey, give me some leeway!)... Not to mention that Roo & Ron themselves went from a combined 31 goals in 05/06, to a combined 46 in 06/07.

Now, I'm not saying any of that necessarily proves we were better without RVN (or for that matter has much at all to do with Maroane Fellaini) but it backs it up somewhat. But I'm always interested to hear the reasons why anyone would think it didn't.

 

[Hawks2008]

>Throws Martial, Shaw, Mkhi etc under the bus all season
> Backs this lump to the hilt no matter what
makes sense

 

[Jaybomb]

>Throws Martial, Shaw, Mkhi etc under the bus all season
> Backs this lump to the hilt no matter what
makes sense

Fellaini gives 100% every time. Those 3 were half assing it all season!

Honestly sick of people making excuses for some of these players. Shaw has been shite! But people choose to hate on Fellaini instead, a guy who's contributed massively to our last 3 trophy wins. Logic.

 

[gormless]

None of that applies to Matic, you just need to bring your knowledge up to speed.

- Matic was a starter for the team that won the title twice in 3 years. Fellaini a squad player for the team that finished 4th, 5th, 6th.
- Matic is wanted by United and Juventus. Fellaini is wanted by Galata.
- Matic has 2 years remaining on his contract. Fellaini has one.

You missed out he's also not 29!

 

[mu4c_20le]

I like the big fella, just not as a starter. Useful squad player that adds chaos factor in the final third.

The problem is that he offers chaos wherever he plays.

 

[haram]

Seriously, what would be the point in selling him for 10 million? He has shown he is effective when used correctly. We are in 4 competitions and will face different sides who play in different ways. Some games we will need Fellaini. Even if he is just to come off the bench for 20 minutes and provide a long ball option. This is the whole point in having a SQUAD.

 

[Hawks2008]

Fellaini gives 100% every time. Those 3 were half assing it all season!

Honestly sick of people making excuses for some of these players. Shaw has been shite! But people choose to hate on Fellaini instead, a guy who's contributed massively to our last 3 trophy wins. Logic.

I agree completely that those 3 were poor last season and they have everything to prove this coming season. However it appears Fellaini is Jose's golden boy who can do no wrong, he'll call out others for their mistakes/bad form but not Fellaini . He's a player who belongs in a Tony Pulis team, not at a team with title-winning aspirations.

 

[Adnandos]

>Throws Martial, Shaw, Mkhi etc under the bus all season
> Backs this lump to the hilt no matter what
makes sense

It does make sense, Jose doesnt expect anything more from Fellaini than what he already provides, with maximum effort effectively every game. Jose has every right to expect a lot more from a few quality players who have been playing waaaaaaay below their potential ability (I think Mikhi has been fine tho imo)

 

[RAVred]

>Throws Martial, Shaw, Mkhi etc under the bus all season
> Backs this lump to the hilt no matter what
makes sense

Yes because this 'lump' was far more useful than all of them, with the exception of Mkhitaryan.

 

[prath92]

I agree completely that those 3 were poor last season and they have everything to prove this coming season. However it appears Fellaini is Jose's golden boy who can do no wrong, he'll call out others for their mistakes/bad form but not Fellaini . He's a player who belongs in a Tony Pulis team, not at a team with title-winning aspirations.

Jose didn't criticise anyone who first and foremost gave their all on the pitch. Rashford didn't score for months yet Jose was happy with him because on the pitch he gave 110%. Same with fellaini

Btw he had maybe 1 game where we lost/dropped points due to him. It's grossly exaggerated that he cost us a lot of points

 

[Mockney]

Seriously, what would be the point in selling him for 10 million? He has shown he is effective when used correctly..

I don't think anyone really disputes that. The dispute is more over whether the conditions required to use him correctly are beneficial to the team. We've had many players over the years who would've benefited greatly from the team playing singularly to their strengths. Many of them supremely talented. Where the crux of most Fellaini grudges lie, is in the idea he's the kind of player worth building such a tactic around. For many he's clearly not. And however well he may perform in an ugly defensive system designed to cater to his strengths, its largely irrelevant to those of us who think the system itself is the problem.

 

[Kapardin]

Delighted he's staying. Atleast Mourinho recognizes his value, and uses him properly unlike van Gaal.

He's a good attacking mid and scores valuable goals. Not injured often, happy with sub role and still not over-the-hill yet. Unsellable this summer for me.

Also, I hope Mourinho plays a Matic-Fellaini pivot in the cups for the lulz. A tree-tree midfield combo turning slowly together like a painful waltz will be a sight to watch.

 

[haram]

I don't think anyone really disputes that. The dispute is more over whether the conditions required to use him correctly are beneficial to the team. We've had many players over the years who would've benefited greatly from the team playing singularly to their strengths. Many of them supremely talented. Where the crux of most Fellaini grudges lie, is in the idea he's the kind of player worth building such a tactic around. For many he's clearly not. And however well he may perform in an ugly defensive system designed to cater to his strengths, its largely irrelevant to those of us who think the system itself is the problem.

You don't need to build your team around Fellaini for him to be effective. Playing more direct for the last 10 minutes of a game is a viable tactic and is not beneath any team. The team doesn't have to be set up in an 'ugly defensive' system either. He's scored crucial goals and is worth far more than 10 million to us and in this general market period. We gain very little and lose a reasonable weapon from selling him.

 

[GM K]

When I drop my biases, leave sentiments out and judge as objectively as I can, I will have to admit that Fellaini has been steadily improving in the last few months and even go as far as saying that at the last bend of last season, he was one of United's outstanding players.

Do I want him sold? Yes. Should he be kept strictly based on merit and last season's performances? Yes.

 

[marukomu]

Behave.

He's a 29yo much maligned squad player on the final year of his contract and he is clearly not wanted by any of the bigger sides (if Galata are the most credible destination).

£10m is still a lot of money for leagues like the Turkish one. Especially for a player who is neither marketable nor is he going to elevate the level of football Galata play.

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