where do guys see him? cover for Carrick or his partner? who would play deeper?
Fellaini
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Pete was right about Moyes and will be right about Fellaini. This will happen.
Modrič and Fellaini anyone? 
Maybe neither/both...as in, both would be going back and forth, just a guess.
If I'd HAVE to pick one I'd say Carrick would be the one.
Maybe neither/both...as in, both would be going back and forth, just a guess.
If I'd HAVE to pick one I'd say Carrick would be the one.
One of the pro points of signing Fellaini is he can play with/instead of Carrick. Against lesser teams, he could play in a DM role alongside Cleverley/Anderson.
When they play together, I think Carrick would play deeper, in a holding role to dictate the play. Fellaini will be playing box-to-box.
Bringing in Fellaini is accepting a lesser standard of quality as the United benchmark. He would purely be making up numbers as a midfielder. Spending that kind of money on what he brings to the side is Ashley Young-esque, and I'm not even one of Young's biggest critics!
I very much like the idea of having Fellaini in our team. He'll be the second best midfielder in the team, can cover for and play with Carrick, knows our manager and will give us a different option when we are chasing a game. Plus he has already proven that he can outstoke Stoke.
He could do both but he would play the defensive role in a completely different way to Carrick
If they were both playing then Carrick would be deeper and Fellaini would press higher up the pitch IMO
If we're signing him, he'l slot straight into the 1st 11 alongside Carrick but can obviously cover for him when needed. I do think a Fellaini-Carrick CM is overkill for most of our league games though. I'd prefer a more attacking player. It'd be great for the big games and the CL though obviously. Ideally, we'l get 2 CMs in but in that case, Fellaini would be backup. Think we can get a cheaper one tbh but I really wouldnt mind Fellaini at all. Our midfield needs to improve and Fellaini would improve it.
EDIT: missed the last part.
Carrick would definitely play deeper when they play together. Carrick's excelled in the role last season and I dont see any reason to change it now specially now that he's in the wrong side of 30.
Or both could kind of sit or take turns at sitting and that would allow the 4 most attacking players and our fullbacks more freedom.
I want him too, half the Caf seem to really underrate him and he would undoubtedly improve the team - he's better than anyone we have bar Carrick and he would be the only would capable of replacing him should Carrick get injured or be rested
I just want us to sign someone tbh and he's a pretty good option, he's no Fabregas but he'll still be a good signing
Are all of you ignoring the fact that Martinez said no one has bid for him, and nothing at all suggests that Fellaini is someone we're interested in bringing in?
I see him and Carrick as being similar to Carrick/Fletch, maybe even more exagerrated than that because Carrick really is a pure holder nowadays and he's brilliant there
Fellaini is defensively sound in a completely different way to Carrick and I think he's better used closing down/pressing high up the pitch, whilst Carrick sits and intercepts.
Whichever way they play it I agree the 4 attacking players would have more freedom, because he's a better defensive option than Cleverely or Anderson and the two of them would provide a very solid midfield.
Doesn't he have a release clause? So guess clubs can wait if they are interested. Would imagine that although he's not a primary target he would be on the list for alternatives. Tbf though wouldn't be surprised if Moyes was thinking he'd rather his first signing not be a former player, well first major signing after that right back.
Nope. It's slightly worrying that there's been very little about this in the media for those of us that want to sign him. I still think it'll happen but it's no sure thing.
Thing is he's not actually great defensively from what I've seen. He's more of all action midfielder. Likes to drive forward, get involved in midfield scraps, win headers and hold the ball up when playing further forward. He does a lot of things well but I don't think he's particularly great at anything. He isn't a great passer, he doesn't have a great touch and he's not great defensively. But he's good a lot of things, pretty tidy passer, thinks quickly, great header, very strong, good nose for goal, will help with midfield battles.
Basically he's got a bit of Darren fletcher for me in that he's good but will never be top class but with more physicality and better in the attacking third but without the crazy stamina. He's probably more well rounded than Darren to be fair.
Basically he's got a bit of Darren fletcher for me in that he's good but will never be top class but with more physicality and better in the attacking third but without the crazy stamina. He's probably more well rounded than Darren to be fair.
With our current midfield it is a case of beggars can't be choosers.
The main thing that makes me doubt this will happen is the idea that this could've been done weeks ago - at least when we bid for Baines - meaning he could've been with the squad for the tour to settle in. If this does eventually happen then I'd wonder what the delay has been.
It would be interesting to see how referees would react to his normal elbowing game if he played for us - there would be a lot more attention on him as a Manchester United player to highlight such things, and encourage media outrage. In the Champions League certainly a stronger line would be taken, and we could imagine him being booked regularly. But if we're being realistic there then we're not really amongst the favourites in the competition this coming season, so perhaps it doesn't matter that much.
I would be very happy with a prime Darren Fletcher to draw upon.
I wouldn't. Fletcher was a great option to have but he was never top drawer. With midfielders around the world becoming their team's biggest strengths we need to do better IMO. The likes of barca, bayern and real have brilliant midfields and we need better than the likes of fletcher to match them. I mean I'm all for having someone like him the squad but maybe instead of someone like Anderson rather than one of the two first choice midfielders. He was never close to someone like fabregas and I'm glad were at least tryng to get players of that ilk.
Wrong.
I think overall this is a fairly decent summary - although he does have a great touch though. Whenever they looked to play it long into Fellaini he was bringing it down well with his chest, head, leg etc. He has a better touch than Fletch for example, who he is being compared to.
When you say he isn't great defensively I agree he isn't great in the way Carrick is, he doesn't have good positional sense and he won't be cutting out balls the way Carrick can. But his physicality and aggression brings a different type of defending to the team - he is a good tackler, despite playing as a number 10 he made the most tackles in Evertons team and in previous seasons when he's played as a midfielder he was amongst the highest in the league for winning the ball back
His passing will never be as good as Carrick's so the Fletch comparsion is fair enough there, and I agree he doesn't have the insane stamina of Fletch. He also isn't as mobile as Fletch was.
You would know much better than me. So your reckon he has a great touch and is very good defensively? He's always come across as an all action midfielder to me. Pretty good everything, not special at any.
Some of us are still missing the point.
Our problem last season wasn't scoring goals but in conceding goals. As history records it, we scored 86 goals while conceding 43 in league play last season. We can absolutely attribute a good chunk of that shocking defensive record to the absence of Vidic for half the season and makeshift back lines but we can also look to bit of weakness in our midfield. I don't have the stats for this but we gave up quite a few goals on crosses, whether in open play or corner kicks. And especially early in the season our CBs got exposed in 1v1 situations. Fellaini would be a nice addition to add some defensive grit, at least in league play.
And if we lift only the prem trophy this season, we should be very pleased.
What Fellaini would NOT bring us is much help in our CL quest. He's just not going to scare Bayern or Barcelona a whole lot. To get from where we are now to where we'd need to be to scare Bayern we would need at least a Fabregas-quality player on the attacking end. Looking at last season's CL results, we simply struggled to score goals and I see only one match (Nov 7 v Braga) where we beat our opponent by more than one goal. Fabregas, or Gundogan, would be a sensational addition to help us open up the scoring v CL opponents.
Knock on wood, we've been very lucky having a healthy Carrick over the last 6-7 seasons. He's no longer a young player and will need IMHO to take some days off against the likes of Stoke and Sunderland. I was hoping Ando could grow into the kind of player Dunga was, a defensive mid who was a bit of a prick but still had some class on the ball -- but that's just never going to happen, at least not until the government shuts down fast food joints once and for all. I have no idea what's to become of Darren Fletcher but betting on him returning to full glory is not a good bet. There's a lot to like about the job Phil Jones did in midfield but it's time to develop him purely as a center-back, not as a utility man. So let's just bite the bullet and bring in the hairy one while still working the phones to bring in an attacking mid, whether it's Fabregas or Modric.
Our problem last season wasn't scoring goals but in conceding goals. As history records it, we scored 86 goals while conceding 43 in league play last season. We can absolutely attribute a good chunk of that shocking defensive record to the absence of Vidic for half the season and makeshift back lines but we can also look to bit of weakness in our midfield. I don't have the stats for this but we gave up quite a few goals on crosses, whether in open play or corner kicks. And especially early in the season our CBs got exposed in 1v1 situations. Fellaini would be a nice addition to add some defensive grit, at least in league play.
And if we lift only the prem trophy this season, we should be very pleased.
What Fellaini would NOT bring us is much help in our CL quest. He's just not going to scare Bayern or Barcelona a whole lot. To get from where we are now to where we'd need to be to scare Bayern we would need at least a Fabregas-quality player on the attacking end. Looking at last season's CL results, we simply struggled to score goals and I see only one match (Nov 7 v Braga) where we beat our opponent by more than one goal. Fabregas, or Gundogan, would be a sensational addition to help us open up the scoring v CL opponents.
Knock on wood, we've been very lucky having a healthy Carrick over the last 6-7 seasons. He's no longer a young player and will need IMHO to take some days off against the likes of Stoke and Sunderland. I was hoping Ando could grow into the kind of player Dunga was, a defensive mid who was a bit of a prick but still had some class on the ball -- but that's just never going to happen, at least not until the government shuts down fast food joints once and for all. I have no idea what's to become of Darren Fletcher but betting on him returning to full glory is not a good bet. There's a lot to like about the job Phil Jones did in midfield but it's time to develop him purely as a center-back, not as a utility man. So let's just bite the bullet and bring in the hairy one while still working the phones to bring in an attacking mid, whether it's Fabregas or Modric.
With Rooney gone, Moyes would be able to play with a 3 men CM. I wont be surprised if we end up with Carrick-Felliani-A Creative midfielder in CM.
I think Fellaini would be an excellent defensive midfielder for us. His technique is far underrated here and his strength would be a huge boost for us in an area where we get overrun far too easily. I would still prefer a Fabregas/Modric type, but Fellaini would be far from a poor purchase. Himself and Carrick shielding our back four would be very strong indeed.
Rubbish. Fellaini is an accomplished International footballer at the very least. You're talking as if we're signing Kevin Nolan. I'd be delighted with the signing and whilst he is not the Scholes-esque player that many want he would certainly add a massive amount to our first team. I'm not buying this idea that we must have a player like Fabregas. Was the whole point of signing Kagawa not to add that little bit of creativity from midfield? I think Fellaini would compliment Carrick fantastically and add another dimension to our play. He certainly offers a goal threat which is what we need. It's typical of the cafe to get snotty when a player is no longer flavour of the month. If we sign Fellaini then I would have no worries, except the utter shitness on our wings if Nani leaves. Young and Valencia as first choice wide players isn't good enough and Zaha needs time.
My pefect scenario is Felliani plus Fabregas/Modric type. Then we can use Kagawa plus Fabregas/MODRIC and only one of Yougn/Valencia behind RvP. Can't consider Rooney at the moment.
Fellaini offers something we're lacking at present, and whilst his form for Everton is underrated, i'd expect him to be an even better player surrounded by better team mates at United.
Valencia at United (forgetting last season) is far superior to the shifts he put in at Wigan.
Valencia at United (forgetting last season) is far superior to the shifts he put in at Wigan.
I agree that Fellaini would give us good options. I'm surprised so many are against the signing. It's as if they never saw him play or something.
Carrick-Gibson-Fellaini
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Surprised that people wants United to be after absolute elite of football ?
You're right. Fellaini is good. He really is but we also need player that will give us solid boost against buffed Champions League sides.
Perfect thing would be signing 2 midfielders, including Fellaini with someone like Cesc or Gundog. It could literally be our only summer signings and it would probably make everyone happy at some point.
TBH VP, what we need this year is to win/be very competitive in the League and have our manager learn a little more about the CL. Any expectation to do more than that is pretty naive. Fellaini is more than player enough to bring our MF back up to prem standards and will also improve us in Europe.
Well we offered £26m for Fabregas so by all accounts we'll probably offer a fiver and a haircut for Fellaini.
Honesty always welcomed. Maybe that attitude is naive indeed but that CL nugget, David Moyes already declared that we're short in midfield and that there will be signings, where it sounded like more than one player. It's a fair start.
It will probably sound even more naive but there's still chance that he'll surprise us in a first weeks of August and it doesn't have to be Fellaini, because I got a feeling, he doesn't want his beloved Everton to become a weaker side, especially after securing higher place than Liverpool.
Fellaini would be an excellent purchase.
A moderate improvement in midfield, the wrong type of player that will steadily sway the style of the team to Everton's yarddog approach.
I am hoping Moyes to only disappoint mildly to begin with, give him enough time to finish the job on you.
A moderate improvement in midfield, the wrong type of player that will steadily sway the style of the team to Everton's yarddog approach.
I am hoping Moyes to only disappoint mildly to begin with, give him enough time to finish the job on you.
Yeah and this would be your year. As always.
Our year is a bit off. But I am shooting for Someone's Else's year for a good while in the meantime.
I have to say, when he started praising those Japanese teams for beating United, he did start going all Roy Hodgson.
He did make Everton better than Liverpool and they did finish in a better place, didn't they?
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