Fellaini (on his way) out? | Duncan Castles: Fellaini agrees new two year deal

[Van Piorsing]

I agree, it's madness.

Very much doubt the board have bent over to Fellaini like some on here think - they probably offered a contact and he wanted to explore all his options before signing it. Nonetheless, it's crazy that we've kept such a limited player here for so long.

As someone brilliantly put it earlier in this thread, he's a dedicated lump. If we aspire to be a top team again we can't have room for a hoofball specialist. The fact that Fellaini has been more integral to Mourinho's tactical plans than Martial or Rashford is a damning indictment on our manager.

Still, hopefully they'll both be gone within a year so we can move on.

This last line in your post is the key here. I believe Mourinho will lose his dream job if he won't move on himself and progress with tactics, mentality and also with his own personnel. There's a serious threat that we'll be trapped in this vicious cycle of dumping managers every two/three years while still playing the same underwhelming players and this can even lead to Arsenal type stagnation after a while with no real strength to push for title race.

Club can still avoid this if the right actions occur before City build themselves Premier League superpower. There's still time to create superpower in the red side of Manchester but yeah... hoofball simply doesn't work and it's not even a coherent plan B. Even less experienced managers are starting to see that.

 

[manutddjw]

Yes because you know exactly what happened during contract negotiations...

It's pretty easy to figure out when Mourinho and Fellaini both spoke out about what's been going on.

 

[iHicksy]

I don't mind him as a plan Z but my problem stems from the fact that if he's in the squad then Mourinho uses him as a midfielder, not just a plan Z to lump up top. This loses us games because he's absolutely dire there. He has the turning circle of a tank, the positional awareness of a drunk toddler and the lumbering gait of three legged giraffe.

 

[Son Of Sam]

What the actual feck man. You seriously believe that we would need Ronaldo AND Messi AND Neymar to replace Fellaini's impact?

There are no words.

It was, of course, hyperbolic.
However, the point still stands. We should stop comparing ourselves to the other big clubs in Europe when we don’t have a quarter of their quality of players. It makes arguments redundant to have.

 

[ivaldo]

We’re in a Fellaini thread, taking about Fellaini. Make your case in another if you wish. Anywho, this is some made up rhetoric I can get behind.

“”

Ah I see the concept of context is lost on you.

Including an "error" in a friendly and an "error" that happened way before the goal went in as the foundation of your argument. Close your legs, your agendas showing.

 

[Ban]

Getting desperate are we? You can do this for literally ever player in the team, and most would come up with far more mistakes than Fellaini.

I won’t bother replying any further, this will do nicely.

You can't say he didn't give his all.

 

[Oneunited26]

This last line in your post is the key here. I believe Mourinho will lose his dream job if he won't move on himself and progress with tactics, mentality and also with his own personnel. There's a serious threat that we'll be trapped in this vicious cycle of dumping managers every two/three years while still playing the same underwhelming players and this can even lead to Arsenal type stagnation after a while with no real strength to push for title race.

Club can still avoid this if the right actions occur before City build themselves Premier League superpower. There's still time to create superpower in the red side of Manchester but yeah... hoofball simply doesn't work and it's not even a coherent plan B. Even less experienced managers are starting to see that.

It’s pretty obvious too me keeping Fellini means he will play a consider amount of game time, mourinho much like moyes and VG are the symptoms of the problem, but not the main problem. The cancer is our board, they don’t care about winning trophy’s has long has the money flows, even if it means Jose mourinho’s long ball stoke football to make sure the money flows. Get used to matic and fellaini in midfield, and the blame I put on the doorstep of the board. The board for me, who have allowed these managers to come in who haven’t a clue about this clubc, and are allowing our neighbors to change the balance of power, which I will never ever forgive them for. VG’s only saving grace was giving some young players a chance, Jose has taken it to a whole new level of bad and the football and players he will play will be Chinese order torture

 

[DomesticTadpole]

This last line in your post is the key here. I believe Mourinho will lose his dream job if he won't move on himself and progress with tactics, mentality and also with his own personnel. There's a serious threat that we'll be trapped in this vicious cycle of dumping managers every two/three years while still playing the same underwhelming players and this can even lead to Arsenal type stagnation after a while with no real strength to push for title race.

Club can still avoid this if the right actions occur before City build themselves Premier League superpower. There's still time to create superpower in the red side of Manchester but yeah... hoofball simply doesn't work and it's not even a coherent plan B. Even less experienced managers are starting to see that.

I agree that Jose has to evolve himself. We have to find a way to get passed sides who just want to sit deep for the whole game, which doesn't involve just hoofing it to a big bloke and in most cases playing straight into the other teams hands anyway. We need someone who can cross a ball, in the air and on the ground and a dead ball specialist. If we can get someone who does both, all the better. We have pace up front but do not utilise it properly.

 

[Siorac]

It was, of course, hyperbolic.
However, the point still stands. We should stop comparing ourselves to the other big clubs in Europe when we don’t have a quarter of their quality of players. It makes arguments redundant to have.

The first step is to replace the likes of Fellaini with better players. It doesn't really make sense to say we have to rely on shit players because we don't have good players. If so, we should sign those good players. A club with our resources should be able to do so.

 

[ivaldo]

You can't say he didn't give his all.

It seems like you can't just say, "I don't think his overall game is good enough," on here. No, you need to go full hysteria mode in order to get a point across. I mean, look at the state of those examples given. Two of them had nothing to do with the move we conceded with and another was a friend.

Fellaini does bring out the worst in people!

 

[Robertd0803]

Ill reserve judgement until the end of the transfer window.

Realistically our midfield next season will be Pogba-Fred-Matic with Herrera/McTominay and presumably Fellaini as back up. Another midfield signing would mean less money to spend elsewhere as you will be looking at least £30 million on even a half decent squad option. Look at how much Fred and Jorghino have cost.

If not having that transfer outlay means we can really strengthen the team/increase bids then all the better.

 

[starman]

meh, not bothered having him for another year as a squad player. Could still get a decent fee for him the year after

 

[Ban]

It seems like you can't just say, "I don't think his overall game is good enough," on here. No, you need to go full hysteria mode in order to get a point across. I mean, look at the state of those examples given. Two of them had nothing to do with the move we conceded with and another was a friend.

Fellaini does bring out the worst in people!

Newcastle keeping the ball for a short time was tops.

 

[FerociousCorgis]

meh, not bothered having him for another year as a squad player. Could still get a decent fee for him the year after

Could still get a decent fee for him? He will be another year older, and nobody wanted him on a FREE with his demands let alone enough to pay us for him.

 

[JonDahl]

Ah I see the concept of context is lost on you.

Including an "error" in a friendly and an "error" that happened way before the goal went in as the foundation of your argument. Close your legs, your agendas showing.

You don’t even know what context means.

A “friendly”? Now who’s clutching?

Way before the goal? It was his fecking header that went straight to their player who scored.

Now all of a sudden, I’ve not made anything up but they aren’t legitimate or they were in friendlies or other players have done worse. Close your legs, your agendas showing.

“”

On the block list you go.

 

[Renegade]

How does an occasional useful player who is 4th or 5th choice earn over 100k a week? I’m sure his on more than Martial.

He probably thought he’d be starting for Belgium and have the opportunity to put himself in the shop window this summer.

It is clear that Jose has his favourite’s though, I’d be surprised to see him go this effort for other players in the side.

 

[Drawfull]

I just knew Fellaini wasn't going to leave, I wonder how much begging Jose and Utd did. We are really becoming the laughing stock of football, signing Fellaini and wanting to sell Martial.
Wonder if Fellaini is too going to come out with a film like Griezmann, all in all a dark day for Utd.
Anyone who believes he is going to be plan B for Utd are kidding themselves, he would've made demands about playing first team football, who knows he might just be our new nr.10.
If we are lucky Ed will sign some Galactico to make himself feel better but it also wouldn't surprise me if this is our last piece of business for the summer as Jose and co will call this our third signing, last year we also only signed 3 players.

Christ on a bike.

 

[Kaos]

Wish Mourinho would bugger off and take Fellaini with him.

Barca and Madrid would have just laughed and told him to feck off and enjoy free agency while he shops for a club stupid enough to accept his over inflated demands. Yet here we are begging him to stay and offering him a raise for good measure, despite there seemingly being no one else interested in signing him.

 

[fallengt]

It says more about the board than the manager. Moyes, LvG and Mourinho don't give a feck about long term. As long as they can have more options the answer is always yes, please.

No club with a clear football plan would want to keep a limited player like Fellaini for so long. We've struggled for 6 years to build a functional plan A, yet this man gonna have his testimonial at Old Trafford.

 

[MJJ]

It’s worked every single time. He would have given the Chelsea defenders much bigger problems than Rashford did.

Fellaini was the reason we copped 3 points in Wenger’s last game at OT. Your fanciful players hit a brick wall but Fellaini’s header was what counted.

Fellaini has more goals against the top 6 than Anthony Martial and yet you lots criticise the Belgian every single time like a jealous ex. Get over it, he has got the United attitude in him and for that reason, it’s good news that he’s staying.

Sorry what? We have always won when felliani came on as a sub?

Also last year he only had one goal against the top six(arsenal), so where are you getting this stat from?

 

[doomy20]

I don´t miss Utd football one bit so far, this doesn´t help looking forward to mid August either.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Why do some feel the need to completely exaggerate his ability and what he's done here? Is it some sort of 'holier than thou, better fan bollox'?

The fact is, he's an extremely limited player and it's completely understandable why some dislike what he brings to the team. Having a personal dislike is odd, but not being a fan of his is very acceptable, imo. Let's be honest, he will be going into his sixth season and he has never really shone nor fitted in, bar a-few spells here and there. Had he of signed for Chelsea, Arsenal etc and not us, you can guarantee that he would be absolutely derided on here.

He's a very average player who somehow has lasted this long with us, it's bizarre. He has had some good moments for sure, but by-and-large he's been a pretty mediocre player / signing. I don't really care if he stays - though I feel he's done here - as I can't envisage him getting all that much game-time. But I can completely understand people with a strong stance on wanting him to leave. I can't help but feel that a handful of posters who don't even rate him, simply pretend to, just to score some brownie points.

 

[shamans]

It's pretty easy to figure out when Mourinho and Fellaini both spoke out about what's been going on.

There's a thing called money. None of us know the amounts involved. Maybe we resigned Fellaini for half his salary for all we know.

 

[starman]

Could still get a decent fee for him? He will be another year older, and nobody wanted him on a FREE with his demands let alone enough to pay us for him.

Makes sense. No one wants him yet he signed a new 2 year deal at the biggest club in the world

 

[ivaldo]

You don’t even know what context means.

A “friendly”? Now who’s clutching?

Way before the goal? It was his fecking header that went straight to their player who scored.

Now all of a sudden, I’ve not made anything up but they aren’t legitimate or they were in friendlies or other players have done worse. Close your legs, your agendas showing.

“”

On the block list you go.

Oh look, All of a sudden we are putting stock in a game that for the rest of the year means feck all.

Your comebacks are scolding. The way you literally copy what I’ve just written, it’s inspired.

When you can’t even bring up legitimate examples of errors you know you’re up the proverbial shit creek without a paddle. I’d run away too, if I was you.

 

[shamans]

Why do some feel the need to completely exaggerate his ability and what he's done here? Is it some sort of 'holier than thou, better fan bollox'?

The fact is, he's an extremely limited player and it's completely understandable why some dislike what he brings to the team. Having a personal dislike is odd, but not being a fan of his is very acceptable, imo. Let's be honest, he will be going into his sixth season and he has never really shone nor fitted in, bar a-few spells here and there. Had he of signed for Chelsea, Arsenal etc and not us, you can guarantee that he would be absolutely derided on here.

He's a very average player who somehow has lasted this long with us, it's bizarre. He has had some good moments for sure, but by-and-large he's been a pretty mediocre player / signing. I don't really care if he stays - though I feel he's done here - as I can't envisage him getting all that much game-time. But I can completely understand people with a strong stance on wanting him to leave. I can't help but feel that a handful of posters who don't even rate him, simply pretend to, just to score some brownie points.

No it's because some of us watch football as it is and don't conform to generalizations.

At this stage over 6 managers have trusted him by playing him in their starting elevens almost consistently throughout his career. The fans on here are the same fans that thought Cleverely was miles better than him. So now e don't rate him because of brownie points but because of actual results rather than opinions of the man at the pub or redcafe.

 

[ivaldo]

Newcastle keeping the ball for a short time was tops.

That was my favourite too.

All these tears over a squad player.

 

[Yorkeontop]

One of the last remaining honest footballers, honest in dishing it out, honest in taking it. He'll never leave, Fellaini forever!

 

[Robbie Boy]

No it's because some of us watch football as it is and don't conform to generalizations.

At this stage over 6 managers have trusted him by playing him in their starting elevens almost consistently throughout his career. The fans on here are the same fans that thought Cleverely was miles better than him. So now e don't rate him because of brownie points but because of actual results rather than opinions of the man at the pub or redcafe.

Yeah, anyhow he's a divisive player that some will rate and some won't. He's had some good moments but that's about it. If he stays, so be it.

 

[Jed I. Knight]

Ffs. Will the curse never end?

The fact that no other significant club is willing to take him on a free says everything. Yet here we are, handing him a new contract. Abysmal.

 

[PepsiCola]

We deserve everything we get next season giving this clown an extension.

 

[Thiagoal]

If the other option to renewing Fellaini was to spend £40 million plus on a squad player with similar attributes then in my mind this is a sensible move! Of course he's not going to be first choice, but in certain games he can be very influential... it's up to Mourinho to make sure he picks the correct moments!

 

[Drawfull]

If the other option to renewing Fellaini was to spend £40 million plus on a squad player with similar attributes then in my mind this is a sensible move! Of course he's not going to be first choice, but in certain games he can be very influential... it's up to Mourinho to make sure he picks the correct moments!

Exactly.

 

[shamans]

Yeah, anyhow he's a divisive player that some will rate and some won't. He's had some good moments but that's about it. If he stays, so be it.

He is also a 3rd or 4th choice option at this point. Why do people care so much? It's not like he started over 20 games last season. Can you find me a better player for 3rd and 4th spot choices?

 

[Robbie Boy]

If the other option to renewing Fellaini was to spend £40 million plus on a squad player with similar attributes then in my mind this is a sensible move! Of course he's not going to be first choice, but in certain games he can be very influential... it's up to Mourinho to make sure he picks the correct moments!

I agree with the bolded part, tbf. If the alternative was to spend £50m on Arnautovic just to have similar physicality, then renewing his contract was a far better option.

 

[buchansleftleg]

If he gets to the end of this supposed contract and it was proposed he got a testimonial - who would actually turn up to watch it? - surely the acid test of any players legacy with the club.

I wouldn't even inflict tickets for that on local schools for free!

 

[FerociousCorgis]

Makes sense. No one wants him yet he signed a new 2 year deal at the biggest club in the world

The same biggest club in the world that signed david moyes. Then the same biggest club in the world that signed fellaini for MORE than what his release clause was like two days after it expired? Yeah you are right because we were stupid enough to sign fellaini again that makes him some great talent teams were fighting over him. There were maybe one or two small ass rumors about teams interested in this lumbering oaf. Oh and if it is more than 100k a week for this oaf? FFS.

 

[Greck]

No it's because some of us watch football as it is and don't conform to generalizations.

At this stage over 6 managers have trusted him by playing him in their starting elevens almost consistently throughout his career. The fans on here are the same fans that thought Cleverely was miles better than him. So now e don't rate him because of brownie points but because of actual results rather than opinions of the man at the pub or redcafe.

How many of those 6 managers would you have at United?

 

[Robbie Boy]

He is also a 3rd or 4th choice option at this point. Why do people care so much? It's not like he started over 20 games last season. Can you find me a better player for 3rd and 4th spot choices?

You see, I don't really care so you're barking up the wrong tree. I feel his time is done here but Mourinho seems to like that 'type' of player, and if it means him staying will save us forking out for someone like Arnautovic to fill the physicality void, then grand. I just feel some are completely and utterly exaggerating his abilities and what he's done here. I don't agree with the personal dislike for him as he's a pretty inoffensive lad, but I can understand people that don't rate him / want him gone.

 

[An Irish Red]

It's sad how readily we tolerate mediocrity these days. We have a whole array of players who were never good enough for us and Fellaini is a shining example of that.

Yet he's about to get a shiny new contract and enter into his sixth year at the club. It's a joke.