So two players replaced one? What a load of shit. Young replaced Park but that doesn't really fit your little moany rant.
Fellaini
- Thread starter Bilbo
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Fellaini is the type of player we need, Moyes has got special ties with him & Everton, so let's buy him and win the league again
It's as simple as that
It's as simple as that
Fellaini is a midfielder. Jones is the greatest human being ever, as we all know, but he isn't really a midfielder.
As for whether we could do better - well, I'm less and less sure of that. There are better players out there, but are they obtainable? Fellaini is slightly better than some think, and vastly better than his most vehement detractors make it out. Our manager knows precisely what his strengths and weaknesses are - in short, he may not be a muppet's dream signing but he is a very safe purchase.
Creativity, as in "world class midfielder with dribbling skills and an eye for the killer pass", is something any team would love to have - but it isn't strictly speaking necessary. If we aim to play a 4-2-3-1 of sorts, this sort of player would be a luxury.
Fellaini is competent as a CM, he can cover for Carrick - and he has some extreme qualities which we may take advantage of in special circumstances. It's not a terrible option, it really isn't.
I'm a huge Michael Bradley fan but I don't consider him MUQ. It seems you don't consider Fellaini MUQ either, which is fair. Fellaini wouldn't be at the top of my list for summer procurements either but I think we can agree we're having a hard time landing the type of player we need, or at least want. No Eden Hazard, no Lucas Moura, no Thiago Alcantara and apparently no Cesc Fabregas. That pisses me off. No Robben either, which after all these years still pisses me off.
Could we launch a bid first thing Monday morning for Luka Modric? Sure, and I'd love to see him brought in. He may even have been a more logical target for us than Fabregas in the first place. My only problem with such a bid is that there's no indication whatsoever that Real wants to sell Modric or that Modric wants to leave Real -- it would be a replay of the Fabregas bid. I would be averse to another "what the hell?" bid. But IF there is reason to believe Luka Modric wants, in light of all the changes at Real this summer, to return back to the English prem, then let's go all in for him. I just wish we had done so before the bid for Fabregas, but that's water under the bridge.
But if we can't land Modric then we just have to get on with Fellaini and be done with it. He gets a bad rap here but in truth he's been a productive and influential player in the prem for several years now. He can defend and he can crash the box in late game situations. One the raps on us over the last 2-3 seasons is that we've been "overrun" in midfield. Fellaini, though prone to getting booked too often for my liking, instantly addresses that. He also gives us a great target on corner kicks -- and to defend corner kicks as well. As for creative play, Fellaini absolutely wouldn't give us that and I would definitely love to add a Fabregas or a Modric. But if we can't land either, then let's go with Cleverley, Kagawa or perhaps even Januzaj in the oddball game here and there and see what they can do. We don't suck and don't need a savior. We need to address needs and our most pressing need, assuming Fletcher will never return to acceptable form, is a midfielder who doesn't take shit between the boxes and who can contribute inside the two boxes. I'm more than comfortable, should we not be able to land a top creator, to let Tom, Shinji and even Adnan to have the keys to the Aston Martin.
Next to a proper class signing I'd take Fallaini. I'd say the same about Barkley or McCarthy mind.
We're using the acronym MUQ? 
I appreciate the job Jonesey has done in midfield for us, but I'd much rather develop him as a central defender than as a midfielder. One thing Fellaini does bring than Jones simply doesn't is a respectable threat on goal, especially on crosses. It's no knock on Jones to state that he's not a goal scorer. According to whoscored, Fellaini scored 11 goals in 31 appearances last season, which is respectable. He wouldn't score 11 goals for United, but he would be a serious threat on goal in late game situations where our opponent has parked the bus, things just aren't working and we're reduced to dropping bombs from 30,000 feet. Even if he were to score 3 match winners on cold nights against opponents such as Southampton, Stoke and Sunderland and do a consistently decent job defensively in midfield, he'd be worth adding to the squad.
But yes, if we can land Fabregas or Modric let's absolutely bring either of them in as well.
Understood, but would you not agree that if a "dream buy" at central mid is not doable that that we've got players on the roster already who can provide admirable service? I'm thinking of Cleverley in particular, but Kagawa could also be used in this role.
What I'm really worried about more than the absence of an attacking midfielder is the absence of a defensive midfielder. We have Carrick, of course, but he's not exactly as defensively strong a mid as we really do need. I was hoping Ando would evolve into that kind of player, but he's chosen to not take care of his body and he still has dreams of being an attacking mid, which he just isn't. Fellaini, whatever else one may say about him, does well at getting stuck in. Our mids got overrun at times last season, leaving our backs exposed in 1v1 situations. Fellaini could step in and make sure Rio and Vidic (and none of Evans, Smalling and Jones are particularly swift of foot), both of whom have lost a step, are not so exposed.
I see what you mean but if we're getting a squad player, defensive mid type who's the type who can "get stuck in" then I think Moyes should be looking for much cheaper options than Fellaini. If you're spending £20m+ then you should be looking for someone who's going to do a lot more for you than just be the sort of defensive mid who gets stuck in. Fellaini does offer more than that, but like you say we don't need him in a more attacking role.
If we're going to look for someone more defensively minded I'd much rather see us spend on a player who's a lot more accomplished on the ball and will help to stop us from being overrun because he can still pass accurately when pressed by an opposition side. Not too many top sides now play with a defensive mid who's very limited and will just be there to throw in some tackles and I don't want to see us doing in the same because we couldn't get a proper top class centre mid.
It's not a slight on Fellaini, who I think is a useful footballer, but I think he's a lot more useful for a team like Everton in causing problems against a lot of the bigger teams who struggle to cope with him. I don't really think we'd have much use for him if he came here.
Yeah, we need backup for Carrick, someone who can clean up stuff in front of the back four. No doubt about that. I just don't think Fellaini is particularly good at that kind of role. I'm sure there are better players, like Bayern's Luiz Gustavo, to name one. Or if Madrid really look to offload Khedira we could do with him as well. And there must be others. Even Cabaye can do an adequate screening job and he's got a very good passing range.
Fellaini is loads better in midfield than Jones. Fellaini is much better on the ball and knows the position better. Jones doesnt look for the ball enough, and thats because hes not comfortable in possesion in tight situations. Fellaini is. He's no Scholes but he is far more capable than Jones.
In the last 5 minutes - the ball is usually just thrown into the box - and there are few better than Fellaini in those situations. With 30 minutes remaining - then sure, I'd take Chicharito
I'd take both. its unlikely theyd be competing for the same position.
I'm all for looking at cheaper options and if there's a young Essien out there or another Martinez -- or better yet, a young Roy Keane -- let's go in and go in big if big is what it takes. I don't rate Fellaini at 20m either but I'd hate to see us go empty handed because United management couldn't find "value" in the market. We put a lot on Carrick's back last season and he came through huge for us but I seriously doubt he can go a full season in that form again. And there will be those occasions where WE will park the bus and Fellaini would be a very nice partner with Carrick in front of the four backs and there will be those occasions where we'll be hunting for a late goal and Fellaini is a huge target for that late, scrappy goal -- which Maroune is fully capable of providing.
No one is suggesting Fellaini is The Answer. No one is suggesting that we not go for Fabregas or Modric or another accomplished or highly promising attacking midfielder. But while we hunt for that player there's another "box to box" mid who ticks a few boxes and that dude has an ugly mop of hair and rather hideous mug and could just become something of a cult hero with a few timely late goals and a bit of "enforcement" in front of our aging central defenders.
Agreed, people using Jones as the benchmark for Fellaini really have to know nothing about him. Or Jones. Jones can't keep possession nor pass a ball very well, he really can't.
Its so simple that you've forgotten the part where if we wanted him we clearly should have him by now. Only we dont. And havent shown interest according to Everton. And are letting other clubs eye up his release clause...
Well thats not true, he's had some performances so far where he's done well with that aspect. But as a young player in a role he hasnt played much, theres obviously room for improvement and in terms of doing it more consistantly.
I shit myself every time he gets the ball in midfield. He has some great attributes and I love his runs, but being comfortable in possession and playing one touch football is far from being a strength of his. If it were I would be asking why on earth everyone is so keen on a midfielder.
Surprised to see Fellaini so underrated on here. Think he would be a great buy.
Because Jones isnt Fabregas or Thiago?...
We've just won the league without them.
The big concern is reliance on Carrick and being short/lacking bite in midfield. Last season we made up for that at times playing Jones there, which is a car crash (except in a man-marking role like against Real). If he developed a positional sense, could pass and was comfortable in possession, I would be more than happy to pass up on signing a midfielder unless it is someone world class (Cesc) or with huge promise (Thiago/Verratti), or upside relative to valuation (McCarthy).
As it is though, there is a role for Fellaini to play, so I would welcome him.
Fellaini is definitely a better DM than Jones currently is, but that doesn't mean Jones cant pass. And of course Jones is improving at a faster rate with more room to grow
That's besides the point. It can be zaha and young as wingers. Or Rooney and Welbeck as false wingers. My point is that Moyes might play Fellaini at DM alongside Carrick. And then even replace him completely in 2-3 years time.
A middle 2 of Carrick and Fellaini would be overkill in the league. We dont need that much of defensive strength for 90% of our matches.
15 clean sheets in 54 games last season suggests otherwise! We have no problem scoring goals or creating chances, the main thing we need from our midfield is better control of the game and more defensive protection IMO.
League title suggests that was sufficient
Let's not improve anything then. We won the league, why sign anyone?
Vidic missing a majority of the season had a big role to play in that and we did look much more solid once he came back. With a fully fit backline which includes Vidic, I dont see the need of Fellaini in there when we have Carrick. We do need a partner for him that can put in a good shift defensively but a fellaini would be overkill.
If we get him, it'd be ideal for european games and in the league where we play the top teams to give us the extra steel in the middle which is why I'd be happy to get him but not as the only CM this summer.
Indeed it was. I don't think our midfield is insufficient, personally, but there's definite room for improvement. I'd love a Fábregas/Gundogan type just so we could go into each game feeling confident we'll be able to dominate it but I still think that'll leave us a little porous. With Evans/Jones/Smalling being phased in more and more I think we could definitely use another strong defensive presence in there alongside Carrick. If Moyes sees Jones as a long-term option there then we should focus all our efforts on bringing in a playmaker but if not then at the very least we'll need another defensive player in there for some of the more difficult games. I think our attack would still offer more than enough creatively to play Fellaini-Carrick as the first choice partnership personally. And I think Kagawa eventually becoming first choice will help us gain more control in the middle anyway.
We still only kept 9 clean sheets with Vidic starting last season. 19 goals conceded in 22 starts is pretty good but there's clear room for improvement.
Since I'm resigned to us actually signing this guy, considering we can't seem to sign any other midfielder, here's a youtube compilation of him to help us have a slightly more positive outlook on him.
I think that would be ignoring all the games where we conceded stupid goals as our midfield fell apart and the defence was left unprotected. A strong, dominant midfielder like Fellaini would be a huge addition to the team and allow Carrick a little more freedom to create opportunities higher up the pitch. Fellaini would give us a tremendous threat from set pieces too.
I'm all for it even if we did sign Fabregas. Both would be superb.
I'm confused, have we been linked with him in any way at all or are people's "certain we're going to sign him thoughts" based purely on speculation?
Based purely on the fact that Moyes used to manage him
There's definite room for improvement, not even debatable that but i dont see how we can fit in a more creative passer and a more attacking CM like say a fabregas and someone like fellaini. It can only be one of the 2 alongside carrick behind the front 4. Personally, i'd rather the 1st kind than fellaini. That said, regardless of whether we get a more creative attacking CM in, we definitely need someone to cover for carrick.
I dont think Carrick needs to operate further forward. He's ideal protecting the back 4 and running things in attack from deep. You also have to consider his age and the number of games he plays for us. What he needs is a partner to complement him. Fellaini would be good but as I said to brwned, i'd prefer someone more attacking. But yeah, again, I do firmly believe we need cover for him anyways. So someone like fabregas and a fellaini would be a perfect summer as far as am concerned.
I can't believe some folks on here, suggesting Fellaini and Carrick would be defensive overkill.
Have you not seen either of them play? Both offer a lot when allowed to go forward, especially Fellaini. They don't have to sit in their own half all the game.
Fellaini is underrated by too many here. If it wasn't for the Moyes link, I think more would be keen on it.
To re-cap. He'd add more steel than any of our options. He is no less skillful than any of them. He passes as well as any, apart from Carrick, and is a genuine midfielder.
He provides a real threat at set pieces, and is equally effective defending them. He can operate as a deep DM, or AM/support striker.
I'd actually be chuffed to feck if we signed him.
Have you not seen either of them play? Both offer a lot when allowed to go forward, especially Fellaini. They don't have to sit in their own half all the game.
Fellaini is underrated by too many here. If it wasn't for the Moyes link, I think more would be keen on it.
To re-cap. He'd add more steel than any of our options. He is no less skillful than any of them. He passes as well as any, apart from Carrick, and is a genuine midfielder.
He provides a real threat at set pieces, and is equally effective defending them. He can operate as a deep DM, or AM/support striker.
I'd actually be chuffed to feck if we signed him.
That's probably where he will eventually end up. But I wouldnt describe his role for Everton last year as that of a genuine midfielder.
But anyway I'm going to watch some youtube vids of him now and tell myself that he's exactly what we need.
You're fecking sad and you probably need to take a step back from supporting the club if you're going to have a moan and get the shits about something like that.
If it wasn't for the Moyes link, most people wouldn't want him anywhere near the club imho. And his name wouldn't have come up at all. Even now, there have been hardly any stories linking us with him, just a few vague rumours, born out of nothing but the Moyes link.
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