[Rood]

I would say no, and i'll admit it. Lets be realistic though, if we're going for a player like Vidal or of similar quality, and we have Blind and Herrera as well, Fellaini will have a decision to make at some point because I don't see him holding down a starting berth.

Well fair enough for admitting you were wrong on that at least, I see many others who were going way overboard in their criticism have gone very quiet - at least you are consistent!

I dont actually see a desperate need for us to buy a midfielder now - the defence need reinforcements first. And he doesnt need to start every game to be a success, it is squad game - it is not even about whether Fellaini or Herrera is the better player, they have different strengths so it depends on the opposition for who gets the nod.

 

[Verminator]

I've not spoken to a match-going fan who wasn't disgusted by the ironic cheering he got in the Valencia game. It was a low-point for Old Trafford, but one I'm convinced wasn't an accurate reflection of our fans. If it took that to spur him into re-inventing himself, or sharpening his focus, or whatever, then maybe it was a blessing in disguise. What it does show, either way, is a determination and strength of character that is invaluable in top level football.
When the chips are down, that is the resolute, warrior-spirit that gets you a win from a losing position. It has to be accompanied by technical and tactical prowess as well, but these type of men are the ones that you want on your side. Those of us who can remember Neil Webb know what the opposite looks like.

I don't get some fans attitudes to our own players, at times. "We should get rid of Fellaini/Young/Kagawa/Berbatov..."
Maybe, if someone comes through or is bought, that is more deserving of that place in the squad. Then there is an argument if they are of no use, because they are not getting games, but to weaken the squad because of personal preferences is just loopy, and if a player is still getting games, they deserve support.

 

[MUFCpiffgawd]

If rooney comes back in the XI, doesn't it mean that we won't be able to play in a 4141 anymore(which Fellaini well by the way)?

 

[2mufc0]

If rooney comes back in the XI, doesn't it mean that we won't be able to play in a 4141 anymore(which Fellaini well by the way)?

He would replace Mata.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I've not spoken to a match-going fan who wasn't disgusted by the ironic cheering he got in the Valencia game. It was a low-point for Old Trafford, but one I'm convinced wasn't an accurate reflection of our fans. If it took that to spur him into re-inventing himself, or sharpening his focus, or whatever, then maybe it was a blessing in disguise. What it does show, either way, is a determination and strength of character that is invaluable in top level football.
When the chips are down, that is the resolute, warrior-spirit that gets you a win from a losing position. It has to be accompanied by technical and tactical prowess as well, but these type of men are the ones that you want on your side. Those of us who can remember Neil Webb know what the opposite looks like.

I don't get some fans attitudes to our own players, at times. "We should get rid of Fellaini/Young/Kagawa/Berbatov..."
Maybe, if someone comes through or is bought, that is more deserving of that place in the squad. Then there is an argument if they are of no use, because they are not getting games, but to weaken the squad because of personal preferences is just loopy, and if a player is still getting games, they deserve support.

 

[gooDevil]

The new Welbeck?

The man marker against the top teams?

 

[gooDevil]

If rooney comes back in the XI, doesn't it mean that we won't be able to play in a 4141 anymore(which Fellaini well by the way)?

Not necessarily. I can see us using it in the big games:

DeGea
Rafael Jones Rojo Shaw
Blind
Januzaj Fellaini Herrera diMaria
Rooney
​

We have never been better in the CL away from home than when we played 451 (4141 is a type of 451 formation) with Rooney up top back in 2006/7. It was only Rooney's injury that stopped us beating Bayern that one year.

It's not that sexy but in tough away games, or the leaders at home, it gives us a great chance to shut down the opposition while still playing free flowing football.

 

[Fahad Jawaid]

I thought he had a good game on sunday, and he had a vital contribution in making us look solid, aswell as not allowing Fabregas to influence the game, but i think he doesn't offer much attackingly and due to him we become predicatable, i have watched the match again, and there was so many times the ball was passed to him, and he doesn't know whats going on around him, he could have easily turned and play an attacking pass, he either just passed it to Janujaz who was 10 yards on his left, or he passed it back first time, there was a moment in which Adnan passed into him on the edge of the box on the left hand side, he could have turned there were no Chelsea players within 20 yards off him, he just first time passed it back that summed it up his attacking ability as a midfielder for me.

Another problem which we face when we play him is, he moves into the box all the time, rather than choosing his moments, due to which what happens is we don't have anybody in the midfield coming short for a pass, and their Fullbacks aren't moved out of their position and it doesn't give space to our wingers to cross the ball or get one on ones with the fullback, as the defenders can stick tight to them.

 

[Roboc7]

I thought he had a good game on sunday, and he had a vital contribution in making us look solid, aswell as not allowing Fabregas to influence the game, but i think he doesn't offer much attackingly and due to him we become predicatable, i have watched the match again, and there was so many times the ball was passed to him, and he doesn't know whats going on around him, he could have easily turned and play an attacking pass, he either just passed it to Janujaz who was 10 yards on his left, or he passed it back first time, there was a moment in which Adnan passed into him on the edge of the box on the left hand side, he could have turned there were no Chelsea players within 20 yards off him, he just first time passed it back that summed it up his attacking ability as a midfielder for me.

Another problem which we face when we play him is, he moves into the box all the time, rather than choosing his moments, due to which what happens is we don't have anybody in the midfield coming short for a pass, and their Fullbacks aren't moved out of their position and it doesn't give space to our wingers to cross the ball or get one on ones with the fullback, as the defenders can stick tight to them.

I agree if he is to build on what he did in the Chelsea game then he has to learn that he can’t just straight into the box all the time, on Sunday at times he needed better awareness of where Mata was (Mata was equally as guilty) as one of them needed to make themselves available for a pass from the winger or full back, at times both winger and full back were just hemmed in with no option infield other than the cb’s and in the end there was nowhere to go so it becomes pointless waiting for the ball in the box. If he had been able to do that I would have been a lot more impressed with his performance but I think that is probably a hangover from his time at Everton where he was the focal point he played with a lot more freedom.

I agree there are times he had more space and could have done more but I wouldn’t be overly critical of that because that’s not his game he has a specific and limited range of abilities which if used correctly can be effective. He does a flick and some good passes against Chelsea and all of a sudden he is much better than people said, dribbles the ball out of play against Bayern and he is useless, it’s all over the top reactions when really he is just a limited but effective player.

We have to wait and see if he can adapt to the team and the team can adapt to him, based on what we have seen so far I think that is still up in the air and personally I am not convinced that what he brings to the team compensates for what he doesn’t or what a different type of player would bring.

 

[tombombadil]

I don't think it's right to criticize him for running into the box a lot. He's clearly doing that because he is the target man and he is making himself available for the cross/pass. If him running into the box all the time is a problem, I'm pretty sure LvG would have had a word with him by now.

 

[Everest Red]

I don't think it's right to criticize him for running into the box a lot. He's clearly doing that because he is the target man and he is making himself available for the cross/pass. If him running into the box all the time is a problem, I'm pretty sure LvG would have had a word with him by now.

And his first touch is incredible. With his chest.

 

[shamans]

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

Not at all. Only his form has changed.

Hope now people don't ridicule me when I say he is much much better than Cleverly.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Not at all. Only his form has changed.

Hope now people don't ridicule me when I say he is much much better than Cleverly.

I would still say Cleverley is the better footballer but when Fellaini is in form, he can impact a match far more than Cleverley. If that makes sense.

 

[iBoss]

Pretty sure LVG is asking Fellaini to run into the box.

 

[shamans]

I would still say Cleverley is the better footballer but when Fellaini is in form, he can impact a match far more than Cleverley. If that makes sense.

Hmm that really doesn't make sense. You're saying when Fellaini is in form he can impact a match better than Cleverley. So when is Cleverly better? When they are both out of form?

BTW I have nothing against anyone who criticized Fellaini. I'm one of his biggest fans but the way he was playing of course he deserved some criticism. It's just the ones who were abusing him like he's some criminal and begging for him to get injured that should really not be opening their mouths.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Hmm that really doesn't make sense. You're saying when Fellaini is in form he can impact a match better than Cleverley. So when is Cleverly better? When they are both out of form?

BTW I have nothing against anyone who criticized Fellaini. I'm one of his biggest fans but the way he was playing of course he deserved some criticism. It's just the ones who were abusing him like he's some criminal and begging for him to get injured that should really not be opening their mouths.

In regards to technical ability, I rate Cleverley higher than Fellaini. However, Fellaini attributes (when he uses them) have a far greater impact on a match. Now I know that should make him the better player and in a way it does but for me, Cleverley is the better player wit the ball at his feet.

 

[LR7]

I've not spoken to a match-going fan who wasn't disgusted by the ironic cheering he got in the Valencia game. It was a low-point for Old Trafford, but one I'm convinced wasn't an accurate reflection of our fans. If it took that to spur him into re-inventing himself, or sharpening his focus, or whatever, then maybe it was a blessing in disguise. What it does show, either way, is a determination and strength of character that is invaluable in top level football.
When the chips are down, that is the resolute, warrior-spirit that gets you a win from a losing position. It has to be accompanied by technical and tactical prowess as well, but these type of men are the ones that you want on your side. Those of us who can remember Neil Webb know what the opposite looks like.

I don't get some fans attitudes to our own players, at times. "We should get rid of Fellaini/Young/Kagawa/Berbatov..."
Maybe, if someone comes through or is bought, that is more deserving of that place in the squad. Then there is an argument if they are of no use, because they are not getting games, but to weaken the squad because of personal preferences is just loopy, and if a player is still getting games, they deserve support.

I'm probably one of Fellaini's biggest critics on here but even I found the 'ironic cheering' at that game really uncomfortable. I've never understood why fans would want to damage the confidence of their own players (even if he was rumoured to be sold). Just like our fans abusing Cleverley on Twitter. I don't get it. I felt sorry for Fellaini at that game. He might not be my cup of tea but I still want him to do well as our player now he's here.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

In regards to technical ability, I rate Cleverley higher than Fellaini. However, Fellaini attributes (when he uses them) have a far greater impact on a match. Now I know that should make him the better player and in a way it does but for me, Cleverley is the better player wit the ball at his feet.

Agreed. A real pity the way Cleverley's development stalled. A very tidy footballer on his day. His apparent deterioration might be partly down to him lacking the bloody-mindedness that is getting Fellaini through such a painful start to his United career. Both players that suffered from "supporters" doing the opposite of supporting.

 

[psychdelicblues]

In regards to technical ability, I rate Cleverley higher than Fellaini. However, Fellaini attributes (when he uses them) have a far greater impact on a match. Now I know that should make him the better player and in a way it does but for me, Cleverley is the better player wit the ball at his feet.

The last line in bold does not make sense.
I've never seen Cleverley beat a man whether by manipulating the ball with his feet or just a simple body serve. All this Fellaini can do. Cleverley is just a basic ball to feet, give and go midfielder. Fellaini has much more to his game then that.

 

[Stack]

The last line in bold does not make sense.
I've never seen Cleverley beat a man whether by manipulating the ball with his feet or just a simple body serve. All this Fellaini can do. Cleverley is just a basic ball to feet, give and go midfielder. Fellaini has much more to his game then that.

This is the thing that has held Cleverley back. It was also what we have been missing for a while in CM. All the best teams have cm players capable of beating opposition players with the ball at their feet, we haven't for ages. If Cleverley had that in his locker he would have been a very good cm for us. Sadly he doesn't.



Hopefully Fellaini can have a consistent run of good games for us, we need variety in our players so as a team we aren't predictable.

 

[Bwuk]

Ander Herrera is what Tom Cleverly should of developed into. Sadly it wasn't to be.

 

[Ekeke]

Ander Herrera is what Tom Cleverly should of developed into. Sadly it wasn't to be.

Sort of. Ander has an aggression in his game that Cleverley never showed, not even when he was being used as a fullback.

But interestingly he's doing a good job defensively on loan at Villa so he might finally be developing a little bit of bite for when he comes back, even if its likely just to be sold in the summer

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Tom's best game last season was all about his defensive efforts, away at the Emirates.

Does seem a waste, though. He had the potential to be so much more of an attacking threat, which we saw when he was at Watford. Obviously, confidence is key when it comes to taking risks and being creative. His confidence must have been utterly crushed by events of the last two seasons.

 

[Ekeke]

Tom's best game last season was all about his defensive efforts, away at the Emirates.

Does seem a waste, though. He had the potential to be so much more of an attacking threat, which we saw when he was at Watford. Obviously, confidence is key when it comes to taking risks and being creative. His confidence must have been utterly crushed by events of the last two seasons.

I agree he did well that game and pretty well defensively all season, but I'm talking more about hard tackling and making the opponent think for a split second the next time he gets the ball. Thats something Ander puts into his opponents and even someone like Scholes with his typical bookable offences managed to do it. The more aggressive challenges that ruin a nice players' day

Cleverley has never had that part to his game, but last season and continuing this season at Villa his ability to win the ball has dramatically improved. And that will take him a long way, just probably not long enough to stay here post the summer

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I agree he did well that game and pretty well defensively all season, but I'm talking more about hard tackling and making the opponent think for a split second the next time he gets the ball. Thats something Ander puts into his opponents and even someone like Scholes with his typical bookable offences managed to do it. The more aggressive challenges that ruin a nice players' day

Cleverley has never had that part to his game, but last season and continuing this season at Villa his ability to win the ball has dramatically improved. And that will take him a long way, just probably not long enough to stay here post the summer

Oh right. Yes, not a feature of Tom's game at United. Haven't watched him for Villa but be good if he could add that string to his bow.

 

[Wolverine]

I have an issue with his slow mobility, he does get around the pitch quite a bit but we shouldn't rely on him defensively. He did do a pretty good job on Fabregas and has looked better overall. Good on him, it can't be easy having your credentials questioned like that but he's done well to come back. Hopefully he can be an asset for us from set pieces and open play as well.

Fellaini is unique in the sense that he doesn't need to have the most technically impressive overall game due to the threat he gives up upfront with headers and from set pieces, if he can do that regularly which is what he should be judged on there is a case for him to be a regular starter.

 

[Shark]

I would still say Cleverley is the better footballer but when Fellaini is in form, he can impact a match far more than Cleverley. If that makes sense.

I don't see how anybody can say that. How is he a better footballer? surely the ability to impact a match is one of the biggest attributes of a good footballer. You'd never see Cleverly score a goal like Fellaini did vs West Brom in a million years.

 

[legball]

It's funny how most United fans wrote him off as a bad footballer. He was never a bad footballer. He's a solid player who under specific instructions can bring something to the table, we saw that in the last 2 games, and during his time at Everton. He'll be important against Man City, and even though we sign better midfielders next summer, I'll like us to keep him. I like how the big Fella didn't sulk despite things not going his way, instead he put his feet down and worked really hard to earn a place in the team, that's a fantastic attitude.

 

[Adnan]

Louis van Gaal on Marouane Fellaini: "When he is fit I have played him. He has to continue with that because then I am very pleased."

 

[Zoo]

 

[RedorDead21]

You have to say for attitude and a desire to feck the haters and prove yourself anyway I find it odd how people think he's not Man United material. A similar path in some regards to that trodden by Fletcher, carrick and many others in the current squad.

 

[Raoul]

Could be an incredible story if he emerges from low expectations to pivotal player this year. If he does, it removes a bit of pressure to buy another midfielder and will allow Van Gaal to focus on a defender.

 

[Boycott]

"It's roughly the equivalent of your television breaking and instead of buying a new swanky 42-inch HD, you buy a bag of frozen peas instead and stick it in the corner of the living room and wonder why you can't watch [anything] on it," wrote a fan in the fanzine "United We Stand."

"And you paid 499.99 for the peas as well by the way, which is roughly the price of top quality television, but not the price of a bag of peas."

wtf?

 

[dirkey]

I have an issue with his slow mobility, he does get around the pitch quite a bit but we shouldn't rely on him defensively. He did do a pretty good job on Fabregas and has looked better overall. Good on him, it can't be easy having your credentials questioned like that but he's done well to come back. Hopefully he can be an asset for us from set pieces and open play as well.

Fellaini is unique in the sense that he doesn't need to have the most technically impressive overall game due to the threat he gives up upfront with headers and from set pieces, if he can do that regularly which is what he should be judged on there is a case for him to be a regular starter.

Interesting, so, if he goes back to being a liability in midfield, not shutting people down and ambling around, but shows a threat up front from crosses / set pieces, you think he should be a starter? I wouldn't, personally. Midfield area is crucial, and I think we need players in there making an impact there, in midfield, more than anything else.

Not to say he will go back to being a liability etc. Though I do find the hyperbole after 1.5 good games priceless, with the "renaissance man" headlines and all. Talk about let him have a few games before the journos start talking like this. It's insane how knee jerk the reaction are these days. Hopefully he'll continue in that form, as he really was excellent against Chelsea. I'm not so sure he can, but please God I'm proved wrong.

 

[RedorDead21]

Interesting, so, if he goes back to being a liability in midfield, not shutting people down and ambling around, but shows a threat up front from crosses / set pieces, you think he should be a starter? I wouldn't, personally. Midfield area is crucial, and I think we need players in there making an impact there, in midfield, more than anything else.

Not to say he will go back to being a liability etc. Though I do find the hyperbole after 1.5 good games priceless, with the "renaissance man" headlines and all. Talk about let him have a few games before the journos start talking like this. It's insane how knee jerk the reaction are these days. Hopefully he'll continue in that form, as he really was excellent against Chelsea. I'm not so sure he can, but please God I'm proved wrong.

The fact is if you can play at that level against chelsea and nulify fabregas in the process its in him. As many on here thought it was from his Everton days. That alone is worth something right now from a player some had written off as no way near of the quality required. His is......but can we get it out of him consistently.....

 

[Boycott]

Unique is a good word to describe him.

You always hear what a joy it is to watch Modric, Kroos, Cesc, Ramsey in full flight and I totally agree. The supreme technique to grab a game and completely control it like a video game.

However going back to his Everton days I found Fellaini at his best a player I enjoyed seeing. He's not up to those standards of skill, technique and generally being aesthetically pleasing. Not many are. He's unorthodox but that's what is interesting to see. A lot of these type of players get found out eventually as one-trick ponies. He did it for many years at Everton.

He is no where near as bad technically as made out to be. Everton under Moyes were direct to get the ball up the pitch but from then onwards they played some lovely stuff and Fellaini was at the heartbeat of that.

Often you watch him and you don't know what to expect. Going back to Everton, he was dominating. Unplayable at times not through deft skill but he had a knack of putting fear off opponents and exploiting it.

His performance on the opening game of 12/13 against us was one of the best individual performances I've seen against United.

 

[RedorDead21]

And playing with 2 strikers I kinda feel direct football (long ball if your West Ham) is not a bad way to alternate proceedings and Fellaini on the pitch has to be up there when it comes to playing that game. People says that not our way. I doubt anyone would give a sh+t how we win if we get 3 points against city or any other team. It worked for SAF in his final few seasons in some respects. For me..its about winning the match however, simple as that.

 

[Blue always red]

The last line in bold does not make sense.
I've never seen Cleverley beat a man whether by manipulating the ball with his feet or just a simple body serve. All this Fellaini can do. Cleverley is just a basic ball to feet, give and go midfielder. Fellaini has much more to his game then that.

21 seconds. The last couple of pages of the Kagawa thread have been full of for a touch similar to that. Problem with Clev is he got a reputation of being a shite player and it's very hard to shake that off if people are expecting you to be shit and then disregarding the good things you do. As others have said, I believe Cleverley's technique is massively underrated but he does not have the personal belief or rock solid mentality needed to succeed at a club like United.

 

[Empire]

Interesting, so, if he goes back to being a liability in midfield, not shutting people down and ambling around, but shows a threat up front from crosses / set pieces, you think he should be a starter? I wouldn't, personally. Midfield area is crucial, and I think we need players in there making an impact there, in midfield, more than anything else.

Not to say he will go back to being a liability etc. Though I do find the hyperbole after 1.5 good games priceless, with the "renaissance man" headlines and all. Talk about let him have a few games before the journos start talking like this. It's insane how knee jerk the reaction are these days. Hopefully he'll continue in that form, as he really was excellent against Chelsea. I'm not so sure he can, but please God I'm proved wrong.

That post that you are responding to did not mention 'liability' but instead stated Fellaini might not be 'the most technically impressive' therefore it seems you are implying a player that is not the most technically impressive is then a liability.

This is an odd opinion you have.

 

[AkaAkuma]

Before and after the chelsea game he had Hazard and Courtois in headlocks, both seemed to be having a laugh with him. He looks like a decent character for the dressing room.