I think he will keep him as a squad player especially if we stick with 4-3-3 or a Diamond, Unless we manage to bring someone else (Strootman) in.
We don't really have a backup to Herrera right now.
27
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 31
- Goals
- 7
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 7
- Red cards
- 1
- Status
I think he will keep him as a squad player especially if we stick with 4-3-3 or a Diamond, Unless we manage to bring someone else (Strootman) in.
We don't really have a backup to Herrera right now.
He's only really making up the numbers. I'd be amazed if he was here next year.
Depends who we sign next summer, if there is to be more midfield reinforcements I can't see him staying. But then again he may prove an able understudy for Blind in van Gaal's system.
Strootman seems nailed on though and I can't see Fletcher being sold so Fellaini seems the obvious departure there.
Probably, buying Strootman would require another new setup so we'll see how the current formation does.
Him, Anderson, Valencia, Fletcher and Young will be next on the chopping board next summer as LvG continues the shake-up. No room for technical wasters in our new side. Put any of them in the team and we'll instantly look a worse side (as happened today when Valencia stepped on the field).
He's more a understudy for Herrera right now the way i see it.
Don't think Van Gaal has used him as a defensive mid at all so far. Carrick is Blind's first deputy and then Fletch.
Not really. Our midfield looked great today but if any of the three was injured we would be far worse off than we should. We still need depth like.
He's not expected back till what, the middle of October?...I really wouldn't be surprised if doesn't play again for United, and is shipped out as soon as possible come January.
Last edited:
If the mop is used it will surely be as either a last ditch target man or in Herrera's role should the injury gods smite us. There's no way he'll play as a the holding CM, a role that requires mobility, passing quality and positional sense. Blind and Carrick will vie for that role, as Carrick is way too slow to play in the Di Maria or Herrera box to box roles in the diamond.
Given that Welbeck was sold, about whom one could make a plausible argument that he was United quality, Fellani has zero future under LVG. As mentioned above-in a three man MF he is behind Carrick as Blind's back-up; he won't play at the top of the diamond as a 10, nor as the 8 backing up Herrera.
When you consider the lack of options in our midfield you'd have to imagine he'll get the odd game as a wrecking ball substitute to come on for Herrera.
Tbf, Welbeck wanted to leave and had much more competition.
And he will play as the #8 more than he will as a #6. That's his best position behind being the physical second striker as well.
If we bring Strootman or someone else in then ofourse he will probably leave.
No reason why he can't compete with Herrera for that spot in midfield. If Herrera gets injured or something then he could fill in there. Probably could play Blind's role too but I suspect Carrick will be his main opponent for that position.
From the way LVG has spoken about Carrick in press conferences, he is counting the days until he comes back into the squad. That will put Fellaini behind Herrera, Blind, and Carrick (and maybe Fletcher) in the pecking order. He has absolutely no chance, either, with breaking into the attacking spots where players like Di Maria, Mata, Rooney, and RVP already are. What a waste of money.
There's one massive reason I can think of...
Fair enough if Herrera gets injured but if Herrera is fit there is a reason why he won't be competing he's awful, Herrera's performance against QPR was better than all of Fellaini's put together for us. He is an attacking mid that suits a more direct style of passing which is not what Van Gaal will use and the only reason he is here is because he got injured guarantee he is gone in January
Well first of all he's nothing at all like Herrera, and he's nowhere near as good? He's slow and cumbersome, he's not agile, he's a shit passer and can't do quick touches, can't go out wide occasionally like herrera did today. We'll see if Van Gaal gives him a chance to prove everyone wrong but I doubt he'll get many, and I suspect he'll be shipped out in January and we bring in Strootman.
I know. But we have different views over this reason.
No, it wasn't. Fellaini has also played well against poor opposition. He did so a few times last season. Herrera was good though and if he does continue to play well he will keep his spot - as he should. I think Fellaini can play a box-to-box role and play in a holding position. He won't be as good going forward as Herrera, but in certain games it might prove more effective to have a midfielder in there who is more defensively minded.
I kind of mentioned this in my above reply. Not similar players exactly, but that position could be modified depending on the opponent. His passing is fine, especially his short passing. People are too harsh on him over this. His passing is simple, quick, and positive.
If he doesn't mind bench sitting I'd be happy to have him here filling in for injuries, coming on late to win headers, and playing cup games.
He's pretty useful and can play multiple positions. The new Oshea.
He's pretty useful and can play multiple positions. The new Oshea.
This I feel is a big misconception and something that has been addressed by others in previous Fellaini threads. His awareness in defense positions is quite poor to be completely honest, the technique to effectively tackle in dangerous areas of the pitch again subpar, positional sense and nose for diagnosing plays before they develop lacking. These are the 3 most basic traits of a defensively minded player. I think maybe because of his large frame people assume he can suffice as a defensive player or someone who play the Busquets role. He's anything but suited to that in reality.
Fellaini proved to be everything you dont want in "defensive midfield" last season.
Rash in the tackle in dangerous areas, didnt track midfielders supporting the opponents attacks, didnt move the ball around the team with any tempo. Basically the anti-Blind.
Rash in the tackle in dangerous areas, didnt track midfielders supporting the opponents attacks, didnt move the ball around the team with any tempo. Basically the anti-Blind.
The sooner we sell him the better. If he stays rotting longer he may not even worth 5m.
I would rather have Pereira promoted and be back up to Herrera than have Fellaini there.
Exactly. Fellaini has the positional sense of a kangaroo
Whilst I agree with this, it isn't the Fellaini that was at Everton. Why is everyone so quick to completely write him off? If there is a manager to improve him it's LVG, and I still don't think he's played anywhere near his best in a United shirt.
He may in the end be completely wank, but I just hate the idea to write off players after one year. So many have struggled in year 1 but then gone on to go good things for us.
Just curious about the last part. Which player already playing in the PL for 5 years has joined us and struggled the first year followed by a stark improvement the next years? No one comes to mind. I can understand if he was coming from a different league but he has been at Everton and with Moyes no less for 5 years. Why would he struggle that massively after joining us and what makes you think he will suddenly improve?
Fellaini does not have the engine to play box to box for us. He hardly ever showed up for the ball and he does not track runners. He is a big lump whom you can direct crosses to but as a box to box mid he is dud.
Harsh on kangaroos.
Of the top of my head, Carrick is one.
And there's plenty coming from abroad too. Granted it shouldn't happen to Fellaini but each player is different, maybe he needs more time.
The reason I think he could improve is, and it just my opinion, he was better in every single facet of his game at Everton. Some people here love to rewrite history and say he was always a shit player but at Everton he actually shower technical ability too.
He has his limitations - he isn't intelligent enough to be a holding player. Not is he technical enough to be our 10. But if we play a diamond, there is scope for someone like him as a backup to the two in the middle . I don't think he will make first teamer unless he significantly improves.
The big thing also is at Everton, he was a greyhound. He wouldn't give a player a minutes peace. At United, he has been so timid. If he can find that aggression back he could be useful in a Khedira type role against the big teams.
As I said this is purely my opinion and speculation. He could well turn out to be shit and if we sold him in january I wouldn't particularly care but the notion of writing players off so quickly as if we all own mystic balls is just wrong. Goes for any player.
Carrick joined us in 2006 and was very impressive in his first season for us. I am absolutely gobsmacked you compared his performances with Fellaini's last season. I cannot take the rest of your post seriously if you feel Carrick struggled to Fellaini's extent in his first season.
About players from abroad, I have already mentioned that is understandable. Fellaini was in the PL for 5 years and playing under the same manager as well. The way he played clearly showed he didn't have the ability to step up.
About his ability for Everton. He was an average midfielder there and really did well as a second striker (battering ram) in his final season there. That he where he was productive. He was displaced by Phil Neville in their midfield. Even with us, he was ok against really poor opposition and was downright awful against any half decent team when he played midfield. He was perhaps told to try and play box to box by Moyes seeing the amount of time he spent in the opposition half. Only problem is he does not have the engine or the smartness to time his runs and get back when needed.
Ok mate, you keep sitting on your throne. Learn to discuss like an adult. I disagree with you, accept it.
I didn't mean to offend. But comparing Fellaini to Carrick's first season was insulting to Carrick. You can have an opinion and you are obviously entitled to it but that was bizarre.
Pereira will understudy for Herrera. Fellaini is an Andy Carroll of a midfielder, and his name doesn't fit into the rhyming game with Ander Herrera and Andy Pereira as a consolation.
Maybe you don't remember Carricks first season then. Also, just for the sake of debate, although clearly you'll manipulate any invalid argument to fit your agenda, what about all the players who go in and out of form? You telling me Carrick for example has always played consistently great football? But he's always played in England and he should have been settled at United... Your nonsense theory is that no player should ever be shit when moving clubs if in the same league when there are players who don't move and still have off seasons. The only bizarre opinions here are yours.
Pereira y Herrera. Sounds like a brilliant match.
But Carrick did really well in his first season. He was a fixture in the side and though he wasn't as good as he was, say, in 2012/13 but he was very solid and worked very well with Scholes. He's a bad example for the point you're trying to make.
Their first names are pretty identical too.
- Status