The guy serves a purpose. And that purpose is to inflame and disappoint in equal measure.
Fellaini (on his way) out? | Duncan Castles: Fellaini agrees new two year deal
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Anyone trying to console himself with the notion "he won't play a lot of games" is in for a shocker. He is a big favorite of Jose and he will get his fair share of the big games. He even started our biggest game last season and looked completely out of touch with reality.
We all know how next season will pan out; A lot of games where we struggle to break teams down, Fellaini deployed by Jose to save the situation, Valencia gunning for the football thigh-hitting record from crosses, Ashley Young overhitting his crosses as usual, Jones and Smalling introducing another episode of the 'calamity brothers show', Rashford and Lingard running around aimlessly with the excuse that they are "youth prospects" while City keep racking up the points.
Basically, not much will change going into next season in my opinion because it looks like we are still intent on retaining these bang average players who will inevitably play in critical games and everyone will go ballistic with Jose and the team and wondering why we did not upgrade on them during the summer.
I expect 3rd in the league or 2nd at best because we sure as hell are not winning the league with these familiar faces who have caused us so much frustration over the years. You can quote me on this.
We all know how next season will pan out; A lot of games where we struggle to break teams down, Fellaini deployed by Jose to save the situation, Valencia gunning for the football thigh-hitting record from crosses, Ashley Young overhitting his crosses as usual, Jones and Smalling introducing another episode of the 'calamity brothers show', Rashford and Lingard running around aimlessly with the excuse that they are "youth prospects" while City keep racking up the points.
Basically, not much will change going into next season in my opinion because it looks like we are still intent on retaining these bang average players who will inevitably play in critical games and everyone will go ballistic with Jose and the team and wondering why we did not upgrade on them during the summer.
I expect 3rd in the league or 2nd at best because we sure as hell are not winning the league with these familiar faces who have caused us so much frustration over the years. You can quote me on this.
Shame none of them ever ask him to control the ball.
They were all better than Fellaini though. Not one of them was as ineffectual and pointless as Fellaini.
No they weren't.
I think anyone thinking him signing is good because it means it saves buying a squad player and releases funds for other areas are kidding themselves. I think within reason, we sign players who the manager wants, rather than spend to a budget. Yes there's not unlimited funds but we're a club that throws money around like water...signing a Fellaini squad replacement isn't going to stop a move for a new defender or whatever.
Clearly this isn't a deal based on finances but Mourinho's view that he's a great player for the squad - as a last resort lump up front I can handle...sometimes it takes a bit of confusion in the box and someone to upset defenders (although I'd question just how effective this tactic is most of the time) but as a midfielder, he's horrible and he'll play 30+ games next year if fit..it's difficult not to be hugely disheartened.
Clearly this isn't a deal based on finances but Mourinho's view that he's a great player for the squad - as a last resort lump up front I can handle...sometimes it takes a bit of confusion in the box and someone to upset defenders (although I'd question just how effective this tactic is most of the time) but as a midfielder, he's horrible and he'll play 30+ games next year if fit..it's difficult not to be hugely disheartened.
Another Mourinho masterclass where Martial isn't in his plans but we have begged Fellaini to stay.
Where are the Top reds that wanted Martial to feck off because he was disrespecting the club by not being satisfied by a place on the bench and what do they think about the Fellaini situation? Held the club hostage and openly made it clear that he was off if he could find any club that could match his desired salary and yet we are desperate to keep hold of him.
Where are the Top reds that wanted Martial to feck off because he was disrespecting the club by not being satisfied by a place on the bench and what do they think about the Fellaini situation? Held the club hostage and openly made it clear that he was off if he could find any club that could match his desired salary and yet we are desperate to keep hold of him.
Can we get him playing the piano with his elbows for social media please?
I see. Yes I agree the Martial situation is unrelated.
Him getting a new contract, on what is seemingly United's terms, is not that half bad. But, this probably means that there'll be no more investments in midfield, so I guess this is not an ideal situation.
If so, then it's all up to Fred to bring the midfield that balance it needs.
If so, then it's all up to Fred to bring the midfield that balance it needs.
Pogba, Matic, Fred, Ligard, Herrera, Pereira, McTominay, Fellaini
If Fellaini earns a place, it's ahead of a healthy list of competition. I'm fine with it. Now we can spend more on that winger and CB
If Fellaini earns a place, it's ahead of a healthy list of competition. I'm fine with it. Now we can spend more on that winger and CB
Read the post at the top of this page FFS. And the posts on the last page. Does it need to be f*cking pinned? Martial has been offered two contract extensions. He has rejected both of them. The club and manager want him to stay. Martial wants to leave. It's not complicated.
I think we have to still be in the market for an attacking right sided player otherwise one injury or suspension to Fred and we are right back to the midfield of last season. The young kid we signed might offer more attacking threat from full back when and if he plays, but we still need more from that side. As others have said, the supposed keeping of Fellaini is most likely so Jose can spend in other areas, and I'm hoping right wing is one of them.
The bolded aren't good enough and the underlined are unproven. We have a lot of players but we don't have a lot of quality.
Aha, by midfielders, I was thinking about CMs (like I don't think we're after Kovacic or any like him).
Hallelujah, totally agree. I see some here relaying just way too much on the full backs for challenging up the wing and providing crosses into the box. We really know nothing about Dalot and Valencia showed this past season that he his no real attacking threat up the wing (bar volleys outside the box).
Never heard, never thought about. That's a really good point! Back to Kovacic muppetry
That’s different. That would be like Jose throwing Smalling or Rojo up top. Which no one would complain about. He didn’t keep a player for the sole purpose of throwing him up front out of position to win a game. Unless I’m forgetting someone. Then feel free to corrrect me.
Harsh on those guys .These guys performed much better and cost the club nothing whilst I’d imagine being paid as squad players.
At the time we signed him there was, we had players like Rafael, Nani, Cleverley et al who were regularly getting kicked from pillar to post and getting little to no protection from the Referees, it was Fellaini's job to protect them, he did that - there weren't many team taking liberties from then on, but moaners gotta moan.
Has a role when he can play against the lower teams in the division - he can put himself about and make a nuisance of himself. If his signing also frees up money we can spend on other new signings, so be it.
You can't have a team full of superstars.
You can't have a team full of superstars.
You're making a different point to what you originally asked now. You asked who & what was Sir Alex plan B in those comebacks, with a sarcastic tone. Implying his teams wouldn't resort to a direct approach if our usual style wasn't going to get the result, which I pointed out he would and often did.
As for Mourinho keeping Fellaini around only for a plan B, I doubt thats quite the case considering he's started Fellaini in too many games across the last 2 years for him to believe him so one deimensional, rightly or wrongly, you'd answer he'd be wrong to think that way and I don't have any interest in arguing the opposite.
Am I? Phil got England knocked out of a major honour and nearly costed us the treble when he hacked an Arsenal player in the box at the FA cup semi final replay which Schmeichel and then Giggs turned around. OShea was squad player at his very best.
Similarly to Fellaini they were all heart, little talent and brains. The only difference between Fellaini and them is that Fellaini is not surrounded by the likes of Stam, Schmeichel, Keane, Scholes, Giggs and Beckham who constantly bails him out. Surround Fellaini with top players and in a team that actually wins major honours and most of the United fans will be drooling at his 'workrate' and playing football in the honest and hardworking 'United way' whatever that might mean.
I dare to say that Fellaini is even better then these lads. At least he scored some crucial goals for us.
PS I am no fan of Fellaini either.
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Imagine if we announce that Fellaini is leaving and Martial is going on the same day...
Some utter melts in his thread. Fellaini is not going to come with a fee, and will be 5th or 6th choice. He'll play in the early rounds of the cups and the dead rubbers in the league and CL. He also has competition with McTominay, who already looks on a similar level to Fellaini.
Fellaini would start at a mid table club (Arsenal were actually considering going for him, so he might even make it at a top 6 club at a stretch). So he is the right level for us as a squad player.
The signing of Fred has ensured Fellaini will not play an important part unless we get an injury crisis in midfield.
Fellaini would start at a mid table club (Arsenal were actually considering going for him, so he might even make it at a top 6 club at a stretch). So he is the right level for us as a squad player.
The signing of Fred has ensured Fellaini will not play an important part unless we get an injury crisis in midfield.
Fair enough. Although I’d argue that was probably his plan C or D. Don’t remember too many times Stam,Rio and Vidic were sent up top to get a result. Bruce & pallister are a little before my time.
The reason I brought up the Plan B was because that seems to be the reason the majority in here seem okay or at ease with the signing. The prospect of him playing more is a bit more worrying.
The only difference with Fellaini is that there's no Keane, no Scholes, no Giggs, no Ronaldo, no Stam, no Rio, no Vidic and no Cantona to bail him out every time. I mean do you really think that the average United fan would even notice him if we were winning EPL titles and CL titles? As long as honours kept flowing in no one would even bother. FFS Most of us didn't even notice United's steep decline in quality as the likes of Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs, Rio, Evra and Vidic were being systematically replaced by the likes of Valencia, Cleverley, Young, Smalling, Jones and co. We only realised the damage when the bubble burst and we kept on constantly ending up in the positions this team deserved to end.
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We've been here before mate., yet his last few appearances for Belgium(albeit as sub) have been in the no.6 role, and he'll probably play there if he comes on against England later on today.
He wouldn't, just like Eder who has actually done that isn't considered a GOAT for Portugal. He would be loved and much more appreciated for sure
Shocking decision by the club. I would rather let Blind play in a midfield three than letting this shower of s*ite anywhere near our squad
Not sure about this at all.
It was the lack of first-team football that prompted Fellaini to kick up a fuss in the first place, surely he would not have signed a new contract without the assurance of increased game time.
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He can be effective when he’s used to his strengths. However, the football becomes ugly when he’s on the pitch.
Thought Jose would improve the attacking aspect and tactics of the team, but if he plans on using Fellaini, I can imagine the football that will be played next season.
If he’s used as a backup behind the starters, and Herrera, it’s fine. But then again, spending 100k a week on a squad player is rather much, even for United.
Guess we won’t be signing another midfielder. Hopefully, we use that money for a fullback and right winger instead.
Thought Jose would improve the attacking aspect and tactics of the team, but if he plans on using Fellaini, I can imagine the football that will be played next season.
If he’s used as a backup behind the starters, and Herrera, it’s fine. But then again, spending 100k a week on a squad player is rather much, even for United.
Guess we won’t be signing another midfielder. Hopefully, we use that money for a fullback and right winger instead.
Yeah thats great but he hasn't played 90% of his club and international career as a DM, though has he?
Fellaini’s chest control is the best in the entire world. In many games where our defence get pressed, Fellaini’s chest became the only outlet for De Gea to punt long balls.
He may not be your cup of coffee but Fellaini is the quick-fix solution to our lack of investment particularly in our defence where only Blind & Bailly can pass accurately under pressure.
If we keep him, it would be one of the worst transfer decisions we took over the past 4-5 years, the guy was playing hard ball without any significant contribution to the team.
Get us a proper midfielder and probably we wont be needing to hoof the ball in desperation for Fellaini to try and head/control, he should leave.
Get us a proper midfielder and probably we wont be needing to hoof the ball in desperation for Fellaini to try and head/control, he should leave.
What exactly did he say about the club?
Blind has no pace, Blind cannot even intimidate a schoolboy of 15. Blind is weak in duels or 50-50. Blind doesn’t score often. The only football attribute Blind has over Fellaini is passing the ball.
If there’s any justice in the world, Blind should have followed LVG out of the club. He adds nothing of value offensively or defensively. In the United team of yore where you have 80% world class talents, you could manage Blind to play the occasional games cos you would expect the team to carry him a la O’Shea, Wes Brown or Silvestre.
These days, the team cannot cope with passengers. Blind, Darmian, Shaw, Mata, Jones & Smalling should be told to find new clubs. These players are a liability to the growth of the club. We cannot challenge for the title purposefully with this amount of deadweights.
Moyes predominantly used him as an attacking mid/second striker during his management of Everton, he then used him in an identical manner when he took over at United. LVG and Jose followed suit. I can't speak for his time with the national team as I rarely watch Belgium play.
Fellaini is an attacking mid first and foremost - unless someone can provide statistical data that would suggest otherwise.
Fellaini's football isn't pretty and tbh I would rather us playing a more fluid type of football. Fred's quick passing is exactly what we need as Matic and sometimes Pogba can be a little slow in possession. Fellaini doesn't have the technique for flowing football, but he is physical and a nightmare in the opposition box, so a 2 year contract for a super-sub is worth it.
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