[Loublaze]

He's doing ok in this new formation. I just think we had more creativity and got more out of Di Maria with the diamond formation, with Herrera playing too.

 

[Ash_G]

I personally don't think the tactic of him pushing up and Rooney holding back is working well enough. I don't think it's getting the best out of the wingers or RVP and reducing Rooneys potential impact. His strength is a good thing to have I just don't get why we want him to be so focused on getting in the box because I think it's considerably impacting our build up play.

 

[Sam]

I personally don't think the tactic of him pushing up and Rooney holding back is working well enough. I don't think it's getting the best out of the wingers or RVP and reducing Rooneys potential impact. His strength is a good thing to have I just don't get why we want him to be so focused on getting in the box because I think it's considerably impacting our build up play.

Bang on the money. Thats why so many (including myself) have such an issue with Fellaini. No he didn't score 2 own goals, concede a penalty and get sent off today. So in that respect he wasn't terrible. The issue lies more with what he can't do, then what he is doing.

Can anyone honestly say, hand on heart, that we're going to able to play the kind of fast, one touch, attacking football we all wish to see, with Fellaini in this role?

 

[tom33]

Steady performance. Didn't pull up any trees, but as has been said, he was one of our better performers. I don't understand all the people moaning about his lack of 'through balls' or whatever. That is never going to be his role, however advanced he is positioned.

 

[Sam]

Steady performance. Didn't pull up any trees, but as has been said, he was one of our better performers. I don't understand all the people moaning about his lack of 'through balls' or whatever. That is never going to be his role, however advanced he is positioned.

Then he shouldn't be playing there.

 

[tom33]

Then he shouldn't be playing there.

I agree, but let's not pretend this is Fellaini's fault! He's just trying to do what has been asked of him, and I think he did alright. I think our lack of creativity was due to our set-up rather than any individual. I prefer the diamond midfield or even 4-3-3, but I guess van Gaal wasn't keen on risking Herrera, which leaves us a bit light on options for those formations.

 

[Godfather]

Another decent performance from him.
But if playing him means Herrera benched and Di Maria out wide, I know what I'd rather see.

 

[Someone]

I'm really happy he has a role to play now in the team, but i don't think he needs to play every game, without herrera the tempo seems to be much slower, horses for courses is suppose.

 

[Ash_G]

Bang on the money. Thats why so many (including myself) have such an issue with Fellaini. No he didn't score 2 own goals, concede a penalty and get sent off today. So in that respect he wasn't terrible. The issue lies more with what he can't do, then what he is doing.

Can anyone honestly say, hand on heart, that we're going to able to play the kind of fast, one touch, attacking football we all wish to see, with Fellaini in this role?

Yep. Thing is I don't know how we'd do with him playing more like a cm (although suspect he won't link as well as Herrera would) and breaking forward when the time was right as a lot of cm's do, but at the moment his role seems to be to get in the box asap with him not looking to build up the play from deeper and I don't know if Rooney is meant to be doing more to make up for that but all I'm seeing is the dm having no one close by to pass to and for the wingers only having a pass to the fullback on most the time. It all feels very disconnected like this.

 

[Roboc7]

Steady performance. Didn't pull up any trees, but as has been said, he was one of our better performers. I don't understand all the people moaning about his lack of 'through balls' or whatever. That is never going to be his role, however advanced he is positioned.

But then Herrera should be playing instead of Rooney because we are essentially playing two people who aren't really CM's in midfield and as LVG said after the game we need to be moving the ball quicker and switching the play but that's not going to happen with those two. Obviously the manager takes the blame for playing them but it's not surprising we struggled to break palace down with that midfield and someone has to make way for someone who can pass the ball.

 

[Ash_G]

But then Herrera should be playing instead of Rooney because we are essentially playing two people who aren't really CM's in midfield and as LVG said after the game we need to be moving the ball quicker and switching the play but that's not going to happen with those two. Obviously the manager takes the blame for playing them but it's not surprising we struggled to break palace down with that midfield and someone has to make way for someone who can pass the ball.

Yep that's my feelings too. If we want Fellaini in this role then I think it has to come at the expense of a striker.

 

[Roboc7]

Yep that's my feelings too. If we want Fellaini in this role then I think it has to come at the expense of a striker.

Yeah I think then he can just be a body in midfield but do the bulk of his work in the final third and we can have someone in midfield who can increase the speed and range of passing.

 

[izec]

He cant play for us, we just cross and hit the ball forwards and look up to find him all the time. We dont have a playing style with Fellaini in the team, he is an useful option at times, but we really dont create anything, becaus he isnt creative and we smash the ball at him all the time. I didnt see this pattern in the first few games, but now it is more or less hit it long to Fellaini or hope someone creates something out of nothing.

 

[Litch]

He'll never win some people over on here irrespective of his performances. Even when he finished the season ok, people said it was against lesser teams. He plays well against Chelsea and City, more criticism. I like Herrera but he's too light weight and we were getting overrun in midfield with him and Blind. Not many Yaya's around that can combine both so at present that's Going to have to Felliani and a other.....

 

[Sam]

He'll never win some people over on here irrespective of his performances. Even when he finished the season ok, people said it was against lesser teams. He plays well against Chelsea and City, more criticism. I like Herrera but he's too light weight and we were getting overrun in midfield with him and Blind. Not many Yaya's around that can combine both so at present that's Going to have to Felliani and a other.....

Why are people saying this? He's clearly shown for us that's he anything but light weight. He's a little fighter is Ander.

 

[Shamwow]

A through ball to who exactly? He tried a couple to Januzaj but januzaj was beaten for pace all game.

Still waiting for you to answer this @Sam

 

[pocco]

Not nearly as well as Herrera though, which is the point a lot of people are trying to make and the primary reason why the insistence on playing him (barring some residual injury concerns with Ander) mystifies those who "detest" Fellaini.

Herrera is injured. I don't get why a big deal is being made of it.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Just caught the full game, I thought he did well, gets the ball out of his feet quickly, looks quite comfortable on the ball and has decent energy about him, always found around the box when we're in attack, I thought he could have done one or two things a bit better in the last 1/3rd of the field, though he was unlucky not to have scored from a corner. (cleared off the line)
All in all, did well... again.

 

[Sam]

Still waiting for you to answer this @Sam

To Van Persie? He might not be in great form, but he's making runs.

If Fellaini is going to play as an advanced midfielder for United, he's going to need a lot more then just being able to bring the ball out of the air well, and make decent 5 yard passes.

 

[Shamwow]

To Van Persie? He might not be in great form, but he's making runs.

If Fellaini is going to play as an advanced midfielder for United, he's going to need a lot more then just being able to bring the ball out of the air well, and make decent 5 yard passes.

When is the last time Van Persie scored off a through ball played by Herrera?

 

[Sam]

When is the last time Van Persie scored off a through ball played by Herrera?

I can't remember the last time RVP scored from a through ball. Period.

Doesn't mean the passes shouldn't keep coming, and Fellaini's had plenty of opportunities. He's also playing a lot further forward then Herrara has this season (apart from that strange 45 minutes against West Brom).

 

[sullydnl]

I'm not worried when I see Fellaini in the starting line up anymore as I'm increasingly confident he'll contribute something when he plays. That's a fair sign when it comes to the progress he's made.

That said, Herrera is a far better footballer and is actually quite aggressive and tenacious so I'm not sure why people see him as a massive weakness defensively. Anyway, although Fellaini is strong he's also rather weak defensively himself. Always think that doesn't get highlighted enough while his technical limitations are sometimes overplayed.

 

[Shamwow]

I can't remember the last time RVP scored from a through ball. Period.

Doesn't mean the passes shouldn't keep coming, and Fellaini's had plenty of opportunities. He's also playing a lot further forward then Herrara has this season (apart from that strange 45 minutes against West Brom).

Right so he tried a through pass or two to Januzaj but Januzaj was beaten for pace & strength so it didn't work.

And he didn't play any to Van Persie but then no one really has done recently.

Fellaini is the problem though right?

 

[Sam]

Right so he tried a through pass or two to Januzaj but Januzaj was beaten for pace & strength so it didn't work.

And he didn't play any to Van Persie but then no one really has done recently.

Fellaini is the problem though right?

I don't remember any incisive through balls for Januzaj tbh. And Van Persie has been played through plenty of times this season (Di Maria has done it about 4 times himself), he's just missed them all.

And yes, Fellaini is a problem. He's a waste of a player.

 

[Pexbo]

Herrera is injured. I don't get why a big deal is being made of it.

He shouldn't be on the bench then.

 

[Shamwow]

I don't remember any incisive through balls for Januzaj tbh. And Van Persie has been played through plenty of times this season (Di Maria has done it about 4 times himself), he's just missed them all.

And yes, Fellaini is a problem. He's a waste of a player.

I suggest you rewatch the match in that case.

 

[ZDwyr]

Bang on the money. Thats why so many (including myself) have such an issue with Fellaini. No he didn't score 2 own goals, concede a penalty and get sent off today. So in that respect he wasn't terrible. The issue lies more with what he can't do, then what he is doing.

Can anyone honestly say, hand on heart, that we're going to able to play the kind of fast, one touch, attacking football we all wish to see, with Fellaini in this role?

Probably not. But we will concede less goals (as evident since he came into the team) because we are more balanced. I'd rather win matches than lose 5-3 or 4-2 or whatever.

This thread is ugly. He wasn't that bad at all. Not as good as his previous two performances, but he was solid. People expecting him to create are looking for any issue to pick on him about. We had Januzaj, ADM, RvP, Rooney, and Carrick. That is five creative players. It is their job to create the chances. Anyway, he did play a few through balls to Januzaj but they didn't quite come off. His passing was fine. He moves the ball faster than Rooney and Carrick. However I think playing the three together slows us down too much. I'd like to see a Blind, Fellaini and Herrera midfield. He looks better with Blind in there with him.

 

[ravi2]

Bang on the money. Thats why so many (including myself) have such an issue with Fellaini. No he didn't score 2 own goals, concede a penalty and get sent off today. So in that respect he wasn't terrible. The issue lies more with what he can't do, then what he is doing.

Can anyone honestly say, hand on heart, that we're going to able to play the kind of fast, one touch, attacking football we all wish to see, with Fellaini in this role?

Fellaini has been doing well for us this season, but he should not be starting in a side like MUFC.
His vision, passing and tackling abilities are average and he barely contributes to build up play.
I think by next season he will be a sub, LVG is only playing him because of his physical presence.

 

[ravi2]

He shouldn't be on the bench then.

I agree with that, but when Herrera tried to play right after his rib injury with the corset on it didn't work out well at all. Maybe if Herrera doesn't make the bench anderson will and no one wants that.

 

[Litch]

Why are people saying this? He's clearly shown for us that's he anything but light weight. He's a little fighter is Ander.

Fighter is one thing, being a lightweight is something else. He does not have the statue at present to do the job without a Fellaini type player. Unfortunately, like I said, Yaya type players are few are far between. Equally Keano type players that aren't necessarily physically big but statue was huge.

 

[TheGame]

@TheGame I am going to be clueless again today, my man.

If he keeps on getting starts in the midfield, than the transition we all feared under Moyes, would be complete.

What is this bizarre transition you are referring to? A highly respected and successful coach like LVG is selecting him for the side. He is playing well. Had a solid rather than spectacular game yesterday. I think he is more suited to a 3 man midfield rather than 2. I would like to see him, Blind and Herrera in midfield.

 

[TheGame]

What the hell does that even mean?

God knows, some people will never give Fellani never any credit no matter what performances he puts in.

 

[Eugenius]

It's a question of horses for courses. Against a big physical team like Chelsea, he's obviously a good player to have. Against a team like Palace sitting back on the edge of their box, he's too slow in his use of the ball and doesn't have the ability to make telling passes. Hererra also has the advantage of having a quick spring in the first couple of yards, so he's good at playing little one twos in tight spaces. Fellaini is a bit clumsy and has the turning radius of an oil tanker.

 

[Isotope]

I'm enjoying our recent look of not being bullied in midfield, not shit on my pants every time we concede corners/freekicks, and to have hope again of scoring from a thousand corners and set pieces we've always got.

And (most of it) thanks to the big afro-man.

 

[Parma Dewol]

Thought he looked good again and like Isotope said above, it was reassuring to see Fellaini bringing some strength to our side. He won practically everything in the air. There was one moment when the ball was lofted up and it was two Palace players vs. Fellaini, yet watching from the stands, there was no doubt who would win that particular contest.

 

[ZDwyr]

As much as i like Fellaini I feel a little bit sorry for Herrera because it is his size that is against him at the moment. I see the logic in playing Herrera against those teams that sit back, he would be better than Fellaini in breaking a team down. But without Fellaini we are so small at set pieces, we are likely to concede. So we need him in there for that.

 

[Escobar]

He should be replaced by Herrera as he just doesn't contribute enough to our play. But he will most certainly start against Arsenal instead of Herrera

 

[Insanity]

What is this bizarre transition you are referring to? A highly respected and successful coach like LVG is selecting him for the side. He is playing well. Had a solid rather than spectacular game yesterday. I think he is more suited to a 3 man midfield rather than 2. I would like to see him, Blind and Herrera in midfield.

A highly successful coach is selecting him? What does that mean? We should just accept everything as a fact because of Van Gaal? What is the point of this forum then? "Only open for hunting season...i.e. when Moyes or similar is the manager".

This is not how I want to see a United midfielder and team play. All he does is move back to win the goal kick or pass and move to the opposition box to chest the ball. The problem is that he doesn't have the positional nous to play as a defensive midfielder, as his predominant skills are chesting and controlling ball. His reading of the game and tackling ability is below standard.

If played as an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have the quickness of thought, passing or guile to open up opposition defense. He can't run with the ball, doesn't have the vision or awareness to pick a pass, and is too ponderous and slow.

He can't play a box to box role as he doesn't have the energy or ability to track runners in midfield or contribute in attack running from a deeper positon. Jog your memory to Fletcher during his good years and you'll realize how inept is Fellaini.

What is left is this weird midfield floater kind of role for him. The team passes the ball around, doesn't work and then lumps it to Fellaini. Rooney or Mata are made to hold positions in the midfield, when these creative players should be in the final third, because Fellaini is up there and someone has to cover the spaces left behind. This is exactly like the role Nolan played for West Ham or Fellaini played for Everton. Being a nuisance than a footballer.

I didn't mind him in the Chelsea game as we had to go as underdogs until we reach their level as a team. But against a shit City and Palace team? It's simply not acceptable to me.

But yeah, let's call me clueless and move on.

 

[Stack]

A highly successful coach is selecting him? What does that mean? We should just accept everything as a fact because of Van Gaal? What is the point of this forum then? "Only open for hunting season...i.e. when Moyes or similar is the manager".

This is not how I want to see a United midfielder and team play. All he does is move back to win the goal kick or pass and move to the opposition box to chest the ball. The problem is that he doesn't have the positional nous to play as a defensive midfielder, as his predominant skills are chesting and controlling ball. His reading of the game and tackling ability is below standard.

If played as an attacking midfielder, he doesn't have the quickness of thought, passing or guile to open up opposition defense. He can't run with the ball, doesn't have the vision or awareness to pick a pass, and is too ponderous and slow.

He can't play a box to box role as he doesn't have the energy or ability to track runners in midfield or contribute in attack running from a deeper positon. Jog your memory to Fletcher during his good years and you'll realize how inept is Fellaini.

What is left is this weird midfield floater kind of role for him. The team passes the ball around, doesn't work and then lumps it to Fellaini. Rooney or Mata are made to hold positions in the midfield, when these creative players should be in the final third, because Fellaini is up there and someone has to cover the spaces left behind. This is exactly like the role Nolan played for West Ham or Fellaini played for Everton. Being a nuisance than a footballer.

I didn't mind him in the Chelsea game as we had to go as underdogs until we reach their level as a team. But against a shit City and Palace team? It's simply not acceptable to me.

But yeah, let's call me clueless and move on.

If he doesnt have the energy to track runners how come he is consistently in the top 1-3 players each game in terms of distance travelled?.
The team doesnt just lump it forward to Fellaini. This is a complete myth perpetrated by lazy thinkers who fall into the cliched thinking of coming to the conclusion that if a player is tall he has to be a target.
Fellaini heads in to the box when a certain thing happens. He also heads to the back post each time. Thats clearly following an instruction from his coach. Do you know what the trigger is for his move to the back post?, have you worked it out yet?.

 

[Insanity]

If he doesnt have the energy to track runners how come he is consistently in the top 1-3 players each game in terms of distance travelled?.
The team doesnt just lump it forward to Fellaini. This is a complete myth perpetrated by lazy thinkers who fall into the cliched thinking of coming to the conclusion that if a player is tall he has to be a target.
Fellaini heads in to the box when a certain thing happens. He also heads to the back post each time. Thats clearly following an instruction from his coach. Do you know what the trigger is for his move to the back post?, have you worked it out yet?.

And Phil Jagielka is the fastest player in the league. Congratualtions to one and all.

If you saw the game rather than read analysis on whoscored in the morning, you'll see that. Most of the time he lazily ambles across while Rooney or someone else is bursting their gut to get back. It's not a myth perpetrated only by lazy thinkers, it's a fact witnessed by people with two eyes.

He passes the ball and heads into the box. He doesn't play like a proper midfielder, or is not at the moment. He doesn't have the nimbleness to play a quick passing game. In the Palace game, he needed extra touches to control the ball, and then invariably passed it to Januzaj into a crowded area. As a top midfielder you should know the next pass before the ball even gets to you. With Fellaini, it's the complete opposite.

He must be following the instructions of the coach, and that is why I criticizing him too. Re-read the earlier post.