Marouane Fellaini image 27

Marouane Fellaini Belgium flag

2014-15 Performances

View full 2014-15 profile

5.9 Season Average Rating
Appearances
31
Goals
7
Assists
2
Yellow cards
7
Red cards
1
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Ramshock said:
Who said there wasnt better midfielders? Im saying Fellaini doesnt deserve the scrutiny he gets. How many winners has he gotten for us?
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You - "No theres just a load of posters on here who have never forgiven Fellaini.for not being Thiago"

B. If we want to start looking beyond a fourth place finish, we need to replace the likes of Fellaini with someone better. I am absolutely sure there are better players, who are gettable, out there in a #10 position who will improve us many fold.

You -"This is one of the above mentioned posters"

When you said this it made me think that you think that is wrong for someone to think we can go get someone better than Fellaini if we plan on competing for the league and champions league. Like why would you think that post is something against Fellaini and not about how we could further improve the first team? Vidal, Gundogan, Verratti, Pogba etc are all a level above Fellaini imo and should be players that we should pair with Herrera to make a team that can compete well in Europe.

I just don't see Fellaini as an intelligent technical player who will compete with Kroos, Modric, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Thiago, Schwiensteigher, Iniesta, Vidal, Verrati, Pogba etc that well. He's good for playing the long ball to him (where he can control it fantastically well on his chest) and relieving pressure but I'm skeptical about that tactic in Europe. If Van Gaal is going to build a possession side then Fellaini really sticks out like a sore thumb in a midfield with Herrera and Carrick.
 
glazed said:
Fellaini adds bite to the side. We looked toothless without him. Clearly he was sent on to add that element today and then went and did a Gerrard.

There are players in the world who could do that job better than he does. But without him we'd be finishing 6th or 7th. Respect to The Lampshade for a good season's work.
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Tbf, we can get bite and tenacity without compromising on technical and creative qualities - in the near future that is.

It has been a decent season from him individually and all credit to him for turning it around. However, we do need an upgrade in that position and he will still be a decent option B and a squad player next season though.
 
Invictus said:
Why do folks constantly feel the need to be sarcy (not aimed at you FWIW) or drag other players through the mud in a Fellaini specific discussion thread ? Can't we stop with the digs (again not you) and discuss his merits in a civil manner from an isolated perspective ? And are we really, seriously going to compare someone of Rooney's caliber with him ? Most of the supporters are well aware of the fact that we a still short of quality in multiple positions, but that underlying factor shouldn't be used as a validation for Fellaini.

The point you made about technically inferior players succeeding at the highest level of the sport in deeply flawed, especially when it comes to players operating in or around the final third. If you still stand by the statement, name the front 6 players from Bayern or Juventus or Madrid or Barcelona who are similar to him in terms of technical quality. It's a shame that there's been a steady regression of expectations in the last 18 months or so. People are losing sight of where we need to be. United has to be at the level of those clubs, that's where we've historically been - we had Scholes and Keane patrolling the center of the pitch and Ole as a supersub - none of them were giants or overly physical, but got the job done in an exciting, positive fashion. That should never be forgotten, but now some are content with Fellaini ? The need for having a physical element in becoming increasingly hyperbolic, it shouldn't override basic footballing technique, awareness and quality; things that dude is well short on.

Anyway, the season is over, we don't have a lot of financial constraints, and can look forward to the transfer window to address the squad, especially the hybrid #10/ #8 position he currently occupies (among others just to be clear). IMO a proper, technically proficient box-to-box will be priority for Van Gaal.
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There's a common misconception that those who defend a player like Fellaini are content with him as a nailed on starter for the future.

I'm on the side of the wall who not only recognise his contribution this season, but can also see that he's not a technically deficient player. Is he good enough to start against the likes of Arsenal, City and Chelsea? Yes, he is. Is he good enough to start against Bayern, Barcelona and Real? Well, we may find out next season. Fellaini is a player who's physical presence causes opposition teams to play out of their comfort zone. Just look at the mighty Chelsea and their approach, a few weeks back. Of all the players to target, Mourinho chose Fellaini and had Zouma marking him. One of the best managers in the world, managing the best team in England, had a player man marking Marouane Fellaini whilst we had Rooney, Herrera, Mata, Young, Falcao, di Maria also on the pitch (at one time or another). Surely, it wasn't because he's isn't technically gifted.

Imagine the threat he could pose in the CL, if that's anything to go by. Teams would have to limit themselves just to stop a giraffe/mop/human incapable of playing football, right?
 
Looking at the posts it is maybe good to precise that for me Fellaini isn't technically deficient when compared to most football players, he is only technically deficient when you put him in the context of our future ambitions.
 
Captain Hindsight said:
There's a common misconception that those who defend a player like Fellaini are content with him as a nailed on starter for the future.

I'm on the side of the wall who not only recognise his contribution this season, but can also see that he's not a technically deficient player. Is he good enough to start against the likes of Arsenal, City and Chelsea? Yes, he is. Is he good enough to start against Bayern, Barcelona and Real? Well, we may find out next season. Fellaini is a player who's physical presence causes opposition teams to play out of their comfort zone. Just look at the mighty Chelsea and their approach, a few weeks back. Of all the players to target, Mourinho chose Fellaini and had Zouma marking him. One of the best managers in the world, managing the best team in England, had a player man marking Mouranne Fellaini whilst we had Rooney, Herrera, Mata, Young, Falcao, di Maria also on the pitch (at one time or another). Surely, it wasn't because he's isn't technically gifted.

Imagine the threat he could pose in the CL, if that's anything to go by. Teams would have to limit themselves just to stop a giraffe/mop/human incapable of playing football, right?
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No, it's because of his physical presence. As mentioned his chesting ability could count as a techincal ability, but with his feet he is not consistent enough to play in attack in my opinion.
 
Captain Hindsight said:
There's a common misconception that those who defend a player like Fellaini are content with him as a nailed on starter for the future.

I'm on the side of the wall who not only recognise his contribution this season, but can also see that he's not a technically deficient player. Is he good enough to start against the likes of Arsenal, City and Chelsea? Yes, he is. Is he good enough to start against Bayern, Barcelona and Real? Well, we may find out next season. Fellaini is a player who's physical presence causes opposition teams to play out of their comfort zone. Just look at the mighty Chelsea and their approach, a few weeks back. Of all the players to target, Mourinho chose Fellaini and had Zouma marking him. One of the best managers in the world, managing the best team in England, had a player man marking Marouane Fellaini whilst we had Rooney, Herrera, Mata, Young, Falcao, di Maria also on the pitch (at one time or another). Surely, it wasn't because he's isn't technically gifted.

Imagine the threat he could pose in the CL, if that's anything to go by. Teams would have to limit themselves just to stop a giraffe/mop/human incapable of playing football, right?
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Well considering our previous 3 games had us just long balling it to Fellaini who would just knock it down for whoever was around it was no surprise Mourinho stuck a defender on him. Totally took away any impact he had on the game as well. Pretty sure West Brom did the same. He wasnt man marked for his technical ability either...its because he's massive and that chest of his.

I just don't seen Fellaini being some sort of major threat against the big european teams because it worked against Liverpool, Spurs and City.
 
Hostekule said:
No, it's because of his physical presence. As mentioned his chesting ability could count as a techincal ability, but with his feet he is not consistent enough to play as an attack in my opinion.
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Has he got two left feet, or something?
 
Ramshock said:
No theres just a load of posters on here who have never forgiven Fellaini.for not being Thiago
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If you're looking for a source of bias against Fellaini, it's much more likely to be the fact that people see him as symbolic of the Moyes disaster.

Personally, I don't think Fellaini should be at our club.
 
Attila said:
Well considering our previous 3 games had us just long balling it to Fellaini who would just knock it down for whoever was around it was no surprise Mourinho stuck a defender on him. Totally took away any impact he had on the game as well. Pretty sure West Brom did the same. He wasnt man marked for his technical ability either...its because he's massive and that chest of his.

I just don't seen Fellaini being some sort of major threat against the big european teams because it worked against Liverpool, Spurs and City.
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Does it matter what you're being man marked for? The fact that he was chosen ahead of our entire team illustrates the problems he poses.

We never beat City, Spurs and L'pool by playing long balls, though?
 
Hostekule said:
No, he has his moment with a nice pass or a flick, but in general his touch and dribbling is below what's expected of an attacker for United (Valencia doesn't count).
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Erm... if we bought Fellaini for his dribbling skills, I'm afraid Moyes is more stupid than we first thought.

I can continue arguing with you and the others who aren't very fond of him, however, we all know none of us are going to change our minds.

I'll throw a cliche at you - lets agree to disagree?
 
Captain Hindsight said:
Erm... if we bought Fellaini for his dribbling skills, I'm afraid Moyes is more stupid than we first thought.

I can continue arguing with you and the others who aren't very fond of him, however, we all know none of us are going to change our minds.

I'll throw a cliche at you - lets agree to disagree?
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Why we bought him doesn't matter. What matters is what his current abilities are, and in what position he can be useful next season. I wouldn't be against having him in a backup role getting 15 games next season. He offers a decent plan B, nothing more.
 
Captain Hindsight said:
Does it matter what you're being man marked for? The fact that he was chosen ahead of our entire team illustrates the problems he poses.

We never beat City, Spurs and L'pool by playing long balls, though?
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Was responding to "Surely, it wasn't because he's isn't technically gifted." in your other post.

I'm sure we hit quite a few long balls against Liverpool where Fellaini got the better of Emre Can quite a lot. We did the same to Tottenham and their RB got subbed off I think and Fellaini man marked in the second half. Liverpool couldn't even press us because we could always get the ball to Fellaini and he would manage to keep it excellently.
 
Hostekule said:
Why we bought him doesn't matter. What matters is what his current abilities are, and in what position he can be useful next season. I wouldn't be against having him in a backup role getting 15 games next season.
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You buy a player for a reason, not for fun.

Second part, I sort of agree with. More than 15 games, me thinks.
 
Hostekule said:
And the same guy decided to play him in DM, after having already seen that his best position was as an attacker.
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Fellaini played more often in DM than AM and he performed well for Everton, his skill set from a technical point of view is also more suited for that role.
 
JPRouve said:
Fellaini played more often in DM than AM and he performed well for Everton, his skill set from a technical point of view is also more suited for that role.
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He played mostly in attack the two seasons before we signed him if my memory serves me right. For a DM his techincal ability is good, but he lacks in so many other areas like pace, positioning, agility and tackling so it makes little sense to play him there.
 
it was a rash disgusting challange, but don't think that should change anyone opinion of fellaini one way or another.

mine is he is a great player when you play very direct football using him as a battering Ram, he is one of the best i can remember seeing at playing that style of football.

however i don't want to see united play that way, so i don't want to see fellaini as intergral part of the first team, as a plan B fine, but nothing more! where united we should be aiming higher then either hit up to fellaini directly and hope for a knock down or knock it to wingers and let them wip it into him.....

I realize its that style of football that has got us in t the champions league, but really with all our attacking talent is that honestly the best we can come up with, i want and expect more from united, and i dont think we will get it with fellaini as regular starter.... it is to easy for us just to go route one!
 
Honestly I think he should be no more than a squad player next season. He played a huge part in our "success" this year with his major contributions coming in our 6 win run, culminating in the victory at the dippers. Admittedly he is great at helping us keep the ball when its booted up the pitch. However, he is just not good enough a footballer to ever win us the trophies we should be aiming for.

Today just highlighted the stupidity and indiscipline in our squad further. We've just had far too many of these silly red cards this year.
 
Captain Hindsight said:
There's a common misconception that those who defend a player like Fellaini are content with him as a nailed on starter for the future.

I'm on the side of the wall who not only recognise his contribution this season, but can also see that he's not a technically deficient player. Is he good enough to start against the likes of Arsenal, City and Chelsea? Yes, he is. Is he good enough to start against Bayern, Barcelona and Real? Well, we may find out next season. Fellaini is a player who's physical presence causes opposition teams to play out of their comfort zone. Just look at the mighty Chelsea and their approach, a few weeks back. Of all the players to target, Mourinho chose Fellaini and had Zouma marking him. One of the best managers in the world, managing the best team in England, had a player man marking Marouane Fellaini whilst we had Rooney, Herrera, Mata, Young, Falcao, di Maria also on the pitch (at one time or another). Surely, it wasn't because he's isn't technically gifted.

Imagine the threat he could pose in the CL, if that's anything to go by. Teams would have to limit themselves just to stop a giraffe/mop/human incapable of playing football, right?
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Fair enough then. Given Fellaini's + performances this season (relative to 2013/ 2014), I'm not fundamentally opposed to him being a squad chess-piece either. Just don't want him to be a regular member of the starting XI, or our immediate route 1 plan B is all. Personally speaking, (just like @kouroux) some of the criticism stems from a preference for free flowing, attractive football rather than a ponderous, ungainly, aerial bombardment kind of approach. Because I've seen what some gifted former United midfielders could do, I will likely never find his style palatable. It's like replacing Ferdinand with someone like Mangala, if that makes any sense.

As for the displays vs Chelsea, City and the like - there is a sense of it being a cum hoc ergo propter hoc type of argument. We cannot definitively state that he will perform well vs those teams on a consistent basis through the coming season on the basis of a limited sample size. A lot of Liverpool's weaker players performed well individually or as a collective vs some of the bigger teams last season, but eventually got found out in the longer run. And that might await us if we persist with limited footballers, because sooner or later teams will adapt their tactics accordingly.

And IMO he will pose a negligible threat in Europe - having a wardrode in the side is not a genius, hitherto unforeseen tactic that will befuddle the opposition. Papa Boupa Diop excelled vs United at times on the domestic front, but play him regularly in the European Cup and he wouldn't have fared well once the immediate shock factor subsided. Fellaini's frailties will get magnified on the biggest stage vs intelligent players like Lahm, Vidal or Modric. And managers like Guardioa or Ancelotti are extremely shrewd, who will definitely conspire to nullify his primary aerial/ chesting threat while keeping the ball on the ground, which in turn reduces most of his effectiveness.
 
Hostekule said:
He played mostly in attack the two seasons before we signed him if my memory serves me right. For a DM his techincal ability is good, but he lacks in so many other areas like pace, positioning, agility and tackling so it makes little sense to play him there.
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You see the assessment that you did about him in the DM position, we are doing the same but in the attacking midfield position, his lack of quickness, creativity, agility are huge problems for an attacking midfielder.
 
JPRouve said:
You see the assessment that you did about him in the DM position, we are doing the same but in the attacking midfield position, his lack of quickness, creativity, agility are huge problems for an attacking midfielder.
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Yep, I agree. Which is why I only want him as a backup option if LvG sees him fit as that.
 
That match was a clarification of his role and future here as he pretty much just made way for better signings to step in and take his place from very beginning of the next season.

He still may be useful in some complicated tactical situations... from time to time.
 
Fellaini has done pretty well this season but hopefully we'll start the first three games next season firing on all cylinders, thus meaning he's more of a Plan B option, a role I think he could do effectively.
 
He has had some decent performances this season in a relative low key / rather average competition. However I don't want him anywhere near a starting place in the CL. He will be off before we even realise we are in the CL, can't see him being anything but a complete liability in Europe.

As far as I am concerned I would still sell him for around 12-15 mil.
 
Clumsy and nasty challenges are part of his game, he has got away with it a number of times since he signed but rightly he was sent off today.

He improved from last year and can offer something to the squad but something is wrong if we can't find better players to start more regularly going forward.
 
KiD MoYeS said:
Moron, you have a good season and begin to show Manchester United's supporters what you can do and then you go and do that in the final game of the season? Stupid.
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He could have gotten multiple reds this season. This is part of his game.
 
Was an important part of our team to get into the top 4. Next season our aim should be winning the PL title and getting as far as possible in the CL. Don't think he should be even close to being a starter for a club like United with that ambitions.

For all the important goals he scored, he slows our game down tremendously. Also I don't think that lumping the ball forward to him is the way I want to see us play next year. He is a useful tool but not exactly reinventing things.
 
All in all he's proven to have had a solid campaign and really turned around the hate and mockery he was getting. He'll definitely have a role in the squad next season, he's a great weapon to have.

Fair play, Fella.
 
I was out all day today so didnt see the game - think I will need to catch MotD tonight. Very disappointing to hear about the red card, his first of the season after he has mostly been pretty well disciplined. The reaction on here is about as expected to Fellaini getting sent off - I cant/wont comment any further until I have seen the incident.
 
Valdes gave good idea what to expect if he is our keeper next season, world class shot stopping, good distribution, error prone and dodgy on crosses.

Other than that it was incredibly dull, we are the worst example of possession football, too much sideways passing, too slow and not enough players who can either up the tempo through their passing, turn of pace, skill etc. That's only going to change by bringing in new players and big decisions need to be made quickly.

Fellaini's tackle was awful, it's sort of thing he does too often, it's often borderline and he gets benefit of the doubt but ref had no option today.
 
Roboc7 said:
Valdes gave good idea what to expect if he is our keeper next season, world class shot stopping, good distribution, error prone and dodgy on crosses.

Other than that it was incredibly dull, we are the worst example of possession football, too much sideways passing, too slow and not enough players who can either up the tempo through their passing, turn of pace, skill etc. That's only going to change by bringing in new players and big decisions need to be made quickly.

Fellaini's tackle was awful, it's sort of thing he does too often, it's often borderline and he gets benefit of the doubt but ref had no option today.
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Again not seen todays match so not disputing it, but I think it is ridiculous to suggest that Fellaini gets the benefit of the doubt with referees - every game he normally gets unfairly penalised at least a couple of times purely because of his tall/awkward frame.
 
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