[Sandikan]

Are you joking he ripped us a new one and ripped Arsenal a new one (several times) for Everton and was basically unplayable at times. You can de-value that period or his specific role in those games as much as you like but very few PL players are unplayable in any given circumstances all that often.

the question is how he's been for us. Which has been undeniably poor.

He was effective for a lesser team.

Have you heard of a guy called Akinfenwa in the lower leagues? 16stone, 6ft 2 or so, and is pretty unplayable in his way. Doesn't mean he's good enough for a top club.

However, if Fellaini can play like on Sunday more often I'll quickly change my opinion. I'd be glad to.

 

[dev1l]

Hang on, let's not go into full revionism mode just yet, after 1 good performance eh?

I m not saying he s Messi but certainly not as bad as people said he is. Even when he was decent, they didn t want to admit they were wrong and stuck to their position. Afaik even before Moyes came, United were interested and so were Arsenal. He also plays for Belgium - a side with a talented pool of players. I prefer the opinion of people like Wilmots, Wenger and Ferguson, rather than that of some caftard.
All player go through bad patches, especially when the go through long periods being unfit, and the least a fan can do in these situation is to support the player and not put more pressure on the same player.

 

[Sandikan]

I m not saying he s Messi but certainly not as bad as people said he is. Even when he was decent, they didn t want to admit they were wrong and stuck to their position. Afaik even before Moyes came, United were interested and so were Arsenal. He also plays for Belgium - a side with a talented pool of players. I prefer the opinion of people like Wilmots, Wenger and Ferguson, rather than that of some caftard.
All player go through bad patches, especially when the go through long periods being unfit, and the least a fan can do in these situation is to support the player and not put more pressure on the same player.

This season I've been less worried at seeing his name in the lineup.

Last year, with a 2man midfield, in Europe, you just thought this is a red card waiting to happen job.

Arsenal at home, 1-0 up, 10mins to go, we bring him on, a 27m man, and people around were scared. Scared to bring a player of that cost on!!

 

[RedorDead21]

the question is how he's been for us. Which has been undeniably poor.

He was effective for a lesser team.

Have you heard of a guy called Akinfenwa in the lower leagues? 16stone, 6ft 2 or so, and is pretty unplayable in his way. Doesn't mean he's good enough for a top club.

However, if Fellaini can play like on Sunday more often I'll quickly change my opinion. I'd be glad to.

Everton a lesser team but doing it against greater teams I say thats as difficult as doing it when everyone around you is top drawer and hugging the ball more etc etc. He was no poorer than most last season considering he came injured and was thrown into a team doing garbage. Now he's been introduced as he should have been at the beginning and its a fresh start and he's more than capable of replicating his recent displays again and again.

 

[dev1l]

This season I've been less worried at seeing his name in the lineup.

Last year, with a 2man midfield, in Europe, you just thought this is a red card waiting to happen job.

Arsenal at home, 1-0 up, 10mins to go, we bring him on, a 27m man, and people around were scared. Scared to bring a player of that cost on!!

How many red cards he got throughout his career?

according to this site:
http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.html/marouane-fellaini

1 red card in 161 games...

 

[JUPITER]

I was so, so impressed with him yesterday. I'd go so far as to say I was humbled by his performance - pleasantly humbled.

The thought of him containing Fabregas to the point of Cesc being rendered pretty much impotent the entire game is something I would've scoffed at before the game.

And on top of that it was his power header that set up RvP's glorious equaliser.

He was brilliant.

 

[Shark]

As one of his biggest critics quite recently, I'm delighted that he's playing well and even getting on the scoresheet to save us from an embarrassing loss to West Brom. Reall happy for him and hope he keeps it up, especially this weekend against Citeh.

 

[saivet]

the question is how he's been for us. Which has been undeniably poor.

He was effective for a lesser team.

Have you heard of a guy called Akinfenwa in the lower leagues? 16stone, 6ft 2 or so, and is pretty unplayable in his way. Doesn't mean he's good enough for a top club.

However, if Fellaini can play like on Sunday more often I'll quickly change my opinion. I'd be glad to.

I thought he was quite good against some of the mediocre teams like West Ham, West Brom etc. The issue was he was mainly terrible against top teams. When you spend the sort of money you do on a player, you expect him to have more of an impact against the top teams, which he didn't. On a whole, his performances last season are being made out to be worse than they actually were imo.

 

[ricky-romeo]

Sometimes I'm not sure buddy with some posters and haven't really encountered you but point taken

Haha.

 

[Isotope]

I was so, so impressed with him yesterday. I'd go so far as to say I was humbled by his performance - pleasantly humbled.

The thought of him containing Fabregas to the point of Cesc being rendered pretty much impotent the entire game is something I would've scoffed at before the game.

And on top of that it was his power header that set up RvP's glorious equaliser.

He was brilliant.

Christmas is coming early. Never thought that Mata would look like a flop, and instead finding that 'missing piece' for our team in fecking Fellaini. It's just amazing.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Christmas is coming early. Never thought that Mata would look like a flop, and instead finding that 'missing piece' for our team in fecking Fellaini. It's just amazing.

Lets calm our tits.

 

[Isotope]

Lets calm our tits.

No.

Yesterday was the BEST performance United have this season. And that's because Fellaini played like a fecking Edgar Davids out there: charging up and down like a bull, while pleasantly adding a lot threat going forward. For once, we look like a top team as in matching Chelsea's aggressive tempo.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

That's the one thing that was pleasing to me, he seemed to have a lot more energy and drive to his performance. Rather than chasing, he looked like he was the one running where he wanted to.

 

[Isotope]

That's the one thing that was pleasing to me, he seemed to have a lot more energy and drive to his performance. Rather than chasing, he looked like he was the one running where he wanted to.

I think it's because he's not constrained to one position, but was given a bit more freedom than last year in restricted midfield two.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

I think it's because he's not constrained to one position, but was given a bit more freedom than last year in restricted midfield two.

Yeh, he had a little more freedom but on the other hand, his first job was Fabregas, so that might have limited him also. Whatever way we look at it, it's just good to see him put in a positive performance and contribute. At the end of the day, that's all we can ask for.

 

[Isotope]

Yeh, he had a little more freedom but on the other hand, his first job was Fabregas, so that might have limited him also. Whatever way we look at it, it's just good to see him put in a positive performance and contribute. At the end of the day, that's all we can ask for.

That 'missing piece' was a bit overstatement, but I wasn't expecting a performance like that from him and the team. Re-watched the recorded game again with calmer head, he did look more impressive than when it's live.

 

[RedMachine03]

 

[Bwuk]

I hope I'm wrong and Fellaini does turn it around. I don't think he's good enough, but I hope I'm wrong.

Too many people in this thread seem like they want him to fail. Support the lad ffs, against Chelsea he was probably our best player.

 

[Lawman]

I hope I'm wrong and Fellaini does turn it around. I don't think he's good enough, but I hope I'm wrong.

Too many people in this thread seem like they want him to fail. Support the lad ffs, against Chelsea he was probably our best player.

No probably about it buddy followed by his fellow countryman and our DDG and Shaw and Rafael played well also! Great to see the newer and some of the younger squad members step up to the plate! Bodes well for us!

 

[vidal7]

This is a brilliant stat.

Fabregas only completed 11 passes in the first half. 3 only in first 20 minutes. He was completely shackled.

 

[vidal7]

Good article this.

Something seems to have changed regarding Marouane Fellaini. Accentuate the positive as the song goes and the midfielder’s first Manchester United goal on Monday night at West Brom looks like it could prove the catalyst for a reassessment of what he can contribute to this team.

It was evident in the early moments of the game. Headed clearances were cheered. A strong tackle to stop Eden Hazard as he closed in on goal drew loud roars from the Old Trafford crowd. The confidence gained from his performance at the Hawthorns seems to have impacted on the player and the supporters.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho might have anticipated dominating the midfield zone. Daley Blind is a tidy playmaker but far from a powerful presence, while Nemanja Matic has proven himself to be a dominant force so far this season. But the inclusion of Fellaini for his first start under Louis van Gaal changed the dynamic.

Marouane Fellaini's touch map for Manchester United against Chelsea on Sunday

Playing slightly from the left of midfield but closing down Cesc Fabregas high up the field when he had chance, Fellaini worked hard to stop the man who prompts Chelsea from deep. Fabregas completed only three passes in the first 20 minutes and just 11 in the whole first half.

Given that the Spaniard has played more passes than anybody else in the Premier League, it was remarkable that United were able to stop him getting on the ball – and that owed much to Fellaini. "He was fantastic," said Robin van Persie of his team-mate. "He did a great job on Fabregas."

Check out our player ratings and give your own verdict on the performances here

Scored an equaliser at West Brom

Even when Chelsea dominated in the second half, he didn’t stop working. The Premier League tracking data shows that Fellaini covered 12.17 kilometres in the match, the most by any United player, and made 70 high-intensity runs. That was more than anyone else on the pitch and, tellingly, the most he has made in any game in a United shirt.

Ultimately he had his reward. In stoppage time, it was Fellaini’s header on goal that Thibaut Courtois could only parry into the path of Van Persie. The Belgian clenched his fists when the United striker slammed the ball home. He is making a contribution and is part of this team now.

MAN UTD v CHELSEA
PlayerDistancePlayerSprints
Marouane Fellaini12.17kmMarouane Fellaini70
Daley Blind11.29kmLuke Shaw64
Luke Shaw10.73kmRafael54


He might well be a part of this Van Gaal team going forward too. That would be quite a turnaround given that speculation in the summer suggested the new manager did not see Fellaini as a ‘United type of player’ but his initial experiences in English football seem to have sparked a change in thinking.

v

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“We have to look also for physical talents and maybe that's our problem,” said Van Gaal in explaining his decision to replace Ander Herrera. “I'm a coach who is always thinking about creative players but in England you also need physical bodies in your team and Fellaini is one of these.”

He showed that again at Old Trafford. Finally, Fellaini is finding a role in this Manchester United team. “I am happy here and the manager has shown trust in me,” he said this week. And that trust is seeing Van Gaal get a return on David Moyes’ considerable investment.

 

[penalty snot]

Fellaini v Yaya.

That's where we can have a look at whether he is the miracle that many suddenly think he is.

Predictions?

 

[Mark_GrumpyLion]

Did not notice how well he was playing until I checked the stats & such after. Very impressed, here's hoping he can keep this form going and be a valuable player for us.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

That stat about covering more ground and doing more sprints is interesting. Goes completely against the "lazy bastard" stereotype from last season.

 

[Shark]

Fellaini v Yaya.

That's where we can have a look at whether he is the miracle that many suddenly think he is.

Predictions?

I get shivers when I think of that comparison after the 4-1 defeat to City last season, in which Toure bossed us and Fellaini was completely useless. Hopefully things will be different this Sunday, especially since Toure isn't in the best of form. That, and we're not under Moyes with his shit tactics and instructions this time.

 

[Stack]

That stat about covering more ground and doing more sprints is interesting. Goes completely against the "lazy bastard" stereotype from last season.

That stereotype was mostly because people were lazy with their observations, they allowed preconceived notions to taint their observations.

 

[jeff_goldblum]

Fellaini v Yaya.

That's where we can have a look at whether he is the miracle that many suddenly think he is.

Predictions?

Tbf Matic has been in far better form than Yaya this season and Fellaini did pretty well in their individual duals. Last season he looked weak (probably due to injuries) but, as we saw at Everton and a little in the last few weeks, a confident, 100% fit Fellaini can cause problems for basically anyone.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Won't find anyone happier at the U-turn than me but it's hilarious seeing how the opinion has changed.

 

[Acquire Me]

I am really happy for Fellaini. It all comes down to support from the manager/teammates/supporters, confidence in yourself and of course form. I think he got a lot of these factors going for him now and hopefully, we will see the best of him this season forward.

 

[botond]

Won't find anyone happier at the U-turn than me but it's hilarious seeing how the opinion has changed.

his game changed a lot to so its normal that opinions differ

 

[iBoss]

Toure's been shite so far this season (or the games I've seen). Fellaini has a bit of confidence. He can make it close if he keeps concentrated.

 

[LR7]

That stat about covering more ground and doing more sprints is interesting. Goes completely against the "lazy bastard" stereotype from last season.

That stereotype was mostly because people were lazy with their observations, they allowed preconceived notions to taint their observations.

This quote?: "The Premier League tracking data shows that Fellaini covered 12.17 kilometres in the match, the most by any United player, and made 70 high-intensity runs. That was more than anyone else on the pitch and, tellingly, the most he has made in any game in a United shirt".

I think the part in bold says it all really. He is now getting praised because his performances in a United shirt have improved. It's not as if he was playing like this all along and people were just being harsh for the sake of it.

 

[Stack]

This quote?: "The Premier League tracking data shows that Fellaini covered 12.17 kilometres in the match, the most by any United player, and made 70 high-intensity runs. That was more than anyone else on the pitch and, tellingly, the most he has made in any game in a United shirt".

I think the part in bold says it all really. He is now getting praised because his performances in a United shirt have improved. It's not as if he was playing like this all along and people were just being harsh for the sake of it.

Never said he was.
btw in the games he played last year he was up in the top 2-3 players for us in games in terms of distance covered etc etc.

 

[JPRouve]

Won't find anyone happier at the U-turn than me but it's hilarious seeing how the opinion has changed.

And if opinions doesn't change you will complain that a gang of s***bags, are judging him unfairly. He seems to adapt well to Van Gaal instructions, that's a good thing for everyone, him and the club.

Never said he was.
btw in the games he played last year he was up in the top 2-3 players for us in games in terms of distance covered etc etc.

Fellaini is known for his stamina, he just keeps running. The problem have always been where and why he is running. Fellaini have played without his brain for a way too long period, and i blame Moyes for that. Because individually he has more qualities than flaws but his lack of tactical nous was/is too important.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

And if opinions doesn't change you will complain that a gang of s***bags, are judging him unfairly. He seems to adapt well to Van Gaal instructions, that's a good thing for everyone, him and the club.

Ok...

First of all, if opinions don't change, I won't be complaining about any scumbags, I don't know where you got that from. I think you missed the bit where I said I am happy about Fellaini.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

This quote?: "The Premier League tracking data shows that Fellaini covered 12.17 kilometres in the match, the most by any United player, and made 70 high-intensity runs. That was more than anyone else on the pitch and, tellingly, the most he has made in any game in a United shirt".

I think the part in bold says it all really. He is now getting praised because his performances in a United shirt have improved. It's not as if he was playing like this all along and people were just being harsh for the sake of it.

How many times before has he played 90 minutes against a team as strong as Chelsea? Stands to reason that his stats for this particular game would be right up there. Stats had him down as consistently one of our hardest workers last season too. Didn't stop the idea taking root on here that he was a useless, lazy wage thief.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Deciding that Moyes was 100% responsible for Fellaini underwhelming last season and Van Gaal is 100% responsible for his recently improved performances is (deliberately?) ignoring some really basic stuff here.

Every new signing is likely to improve significantly in their second season at the club. Every United player underwhelmed last season, as part of a collective that was in free-fall for reasons that were not entirely down to David Moyes (similar reasons to those behind us having even fewer points now than we did at this stage last season) Finally, Fellaini himself did actually put in some good performances last season. They were generally against poor opposition and he struggled against the best teams around but the signs were there that he is capable of what we saw on Sunday, if you paid attention. Just needed to feel a bit more settled at the club and play for a team that has got over the loss of Fergie and finally started to get a bit of belief back. The goal has obviously been a big help too. So many examples of players who suddenly come good at a new club, once an important goal gets the monkey (and the crowd) of their back.

 

[JPRouve]

Ok...

First of all, if opinions don't change, I won't be complaining about any scumbags, I don't know where you got that from. I think you missed the bit where I said I am happy about Fellaini.

I tend to exaggerate, sorry.

And i didn't missed the part where you are happy, but i didn't understand the part where you seems to judge the peoples who have changed their minds in accordance to Fellaini performances.

 

[ZDwyr]

If he does play against City then his performance will depend on which Toure turns up. If it is the recent Toure then i expect Fellaini to do quite well if he brings his best concentration and recent form. If Toure turns it on though, which he is capable of, then Fellaini will have a big battle.

 

[Needham]

Not jogging slowly back when we are being torn up on a counter marks a radical improvement.