[2 man midfield]

Do we...do we have a working midfield?!

 

[ZDwyr]

Do we...do we have a working midfield?!

Yes. And it is probably the most pleasing thing about van Gaal so far. How long has it been since we actually had a midfield that could consistently dominate games? Even towards the end of SAF's reign teams were playing through our midfield too easily.

 

[2 man midfield]

Yes. And it is probably the most pleasing thing about van Gaal so far. How long has it been since we actually had a midfield that could consistently dominate games? Even towards the end of SAF's reign teams were playing through our midfield too easily.

Gives me a lot more hope going into the big games.

 

[KM]

Ever since he has come back in the West Brom game, we've conceded 4 goals in 495 minutes(counting only the second half in the West Brom) in a run which included the fixtures to Chelsea, City and Arsenal and that too without a settled defense. I don't think it's a co-incidence. I can understand the reservations some still have for him, but even they can't deny that the improvement he has shown from last season has been nothing short of outstanding.

 

[ZDwyr]

Ever since he has come back in the West Brom game, we've conceded 4 goals in 495 minutes(counting only the second half in the West Brom) in a run which included the fixtures to Chelsea, City and Arsenal and that too without a settled defense. I don't think it's a co-cincidence. I can understand the reservations some still have for him, but even they can't deny that the improvement he has shown from last season has been nothing short of outstanding.

Also with 10 men for the majority against City.

 

[.Rossi]

Ever since he has come back in the West Brom game, we've conceded 4 goals in 495 minutes(counting only the second half in the West Brom) in a run which included the fixtures to Chelsea, City and Arsenal and that too without a settled defense. I don't think it's a co-cincidence. I can understand the reservations some still have for him, but even they can't deny that the improvement he has shown from last season has been nothing short of outstanding.

Has to be the coaching and direction.

Watch the West Brom game again....LVG clearly gives him instructions and dictates to him what he wants. And he went and done it.

Contrast this with last season....Let's be honest, at times, he didn't even look a footballer. He was clueless and didn't know what to do. Bayern at home is the obvious example. City at home, Liverpool at home etc, he just looked so out of place. Has to be down to the coaching.

Hats off to him so far. I'm nowhere near fully on board with him yet but, he's making me look a tool so far, since the Everton cameo

 

[mazhar13]

I'm glad Fellaini is performing in midfield like he did when Moyes first brought him in. He's really turned it around when you compare him to his first few matches this season, and he's made himself a key figure under van Gaal.

It's interesting to think that, during the summer, most of us (me as well) thought that he wouldn't fit in to this team, and Cleverley would. I doubt anyone would think of this now.

He's playing at his best now, and it's benefitting our attacking players that he can win the ball and draw opponents to him. Herrera and/or Mata can work very well with Fellaini and Carrick/Blind in the team.

 

[mazhar13]

Has to be the coaching and direction.

Watch the West Brom game again....LVG clearly gives him instructions and dictates to him what he wants. And he went and done it.

Contrast this with last season....Let's be honest, at times, he didn't even look a footballer. He was clueless and didn't know what to do. Bayern at home is the obvious example. City at home, Liverpool at home etc, he just looked so out of place. Has to be down to the coaching.

Hats off to him so far. I'm nowhere near fully on board with him yet but, he's making me look a tool so far, since the Everton cameo

I agree. van Gaal and the coaches have done an excellent job in bringing out Fellaini's strengths. They find value in his strengths, and this is what I wanted to see when we signed him last summer.

He's doing what he's best at, and it's beneficial to us.

 

[OneUnited24]

It's interesting to think that, during the summer, most of us (me as well) thought that he wouldn't fit in to this team, and Cleverley would. I doubt anyone would think of this now.

I think many underestimated his actual footballing quality. Last season we saw him lose the ball time after time and it looked like his second touch was always a tackle!

 

[ZDwyr]

Last season people said he was a Conference standard player (and they were serious). He's a very decent footballer.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Ever since he has come back in the West Brom game, we've conceded 4 goals in 495 minutes(counting only the second half in the West Brom) in a run which included the fixtures to Chelsea, City and Arsenal and that too without a settled defense. I don't think it's a co-incidence. I can understand the reservations some still have for him, but even they can't deny that the improvement he has shown from last season has been nothing short of outstanding.

Careful, goals conceded is apparently not as relevant as getting in 0.1 additional blocks per game...

 

[Successful]

Always knew he was going to turn things around and prove all the haters wrong. Perhaps not worth all that money (yet) but we always have to pay premium prices regardless of who we're dealing with.

 

[Feed Me]

He's in good form, but doesn't erase the fact that he was woefully overpriced and that he's technically a bit deficient.

 

[Amir]

He's certainly been doing a lot better than I thought he would be. I still don't think he'll have a role in the sort of first team we'd like to see, but if we've got a good mixture that works like yesterday and he's a part of it, you cannot take it away from him.

 

[arthurka]

Some here must feel like idiots after the shit they gave the poor lad.. LVG has found a great role for him in the team and it seems to be working.. That said he isn't a midfielder in my eyes as his passing range isnt there, his long balls arent up to the standard of a bossing midfielder.. But credit is due another solid performance from the big man...

 

[Dante]

You need a midfield gadfly like Fellaini if you want to play yesterday's possession tactic consistently in the Premier League. We see it with Arsenal that it's all too easy to bully a side like that when it's slightly off its game. Fellaini is the safety net who ensures that doesn't happen. He's a key figure to the way opponents approach games against us.

 

[soap]

I'm not gonna pretend I always backed him, I ran out of patience in around march after initially thinking he'd be a good player for us even if he wouldn't justify that ludicrous fee (not his fault obviously). I think there could be more to come. He's only now fnally found his feet here, who's to say he won't further improve?

 

[Freak]

I really like how each of our midfielders offers something different to our midfield. It's no different with Fellaini this season. He's been fantastic.

 

[marjen]

He's been miles better but he's still no solution for our first XI IMO. A good squad player, which basically is all I think you can reasonably expect from him. Has done a good job these last few weeks.

 

[Roboc7]

Another solid performance but no more than that, will always be laughable we paid so much money but he has become a useful member of the squad. Eventually he will be phased out of the starting eleven but probably not until next season if he continues and improves on his current performances.

 

[Man of Leisure]

Glad to see Fellaini is making me eat my words. No doubt that LVG is a huge part of this, but credit to Fellaini for turning his United career around. Still don't feel he's our long-term solution in midfield, but he's definitely contributing and playing his role well. Compared to last season, the difference has been night and day!

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

When did I ever blame Fellaini for our worse attacking performances? I said that he's not a direct replacement to Herrera and is a different player to him, so he has different expectations for his qualities. You wouldn't expect him to play like Herrera or Silva, would you?

I've never ever said that Fellaini was the problem. I've said that people can't expect him to be creative; he needs others around him to provide that creativity and allow us to play better football. You might be twisting my words because you've seen others criticise Fellaini during that same period and assume me to be one of his haters.

This is becoming a joke. You're completely swaying from the whole point of the debate, and to be honest, I see no point to continue to reply to your points when you're constantly avoiding my questions I pose to you and quoting what you want.

The debate started by you saying:

He can play, but unless he has a playmaker alongside him, our attacks and possession play won't be incisive and troublesome for the opposition. That video showed his strengths and hid his weaknesses, and unless we make up for Fellaini's weaknesses, our attacks will remain quite disjointed.

Now, knowing that Fellaini needs a playmaker next to him is pretty obvious really. Fellaini's a box to box player, who gets the ball, keeps things ticking over and distributes it to the more creative players. Now, when you said our attacks will remain disjointed unless we make up for Fellaini's weaknesses, again, you're just stating the obvious, and it seemed that you were blaming Fellaini for our 'disjointed attacks'. Why not say, unless Rooney, Di Maria, Januzaj and Van Persie create more (referring to Crystal Palace game) our attacks will remain disjointed? I mean, against Palace, Fellaini did the job that was asked of Va Gaal, which is the same job he's been doing since he's been put into the team. If our so called creative players did their job against Palace, there would be no issue, just like against Hull yesterday, albeit going back to a formation that provided us a lot more fluidity - the diamond.

Of course I wouldn't expect Fellaini to play like Silva or Herrera, just like I wouldn't expect Herrera or Silva to play like Fellaini. Goes without saying really. Since Fellaini has come into the side, he's provided us with something we were lacking when Di Maria, Herrera and Mata were in the side, and although we looked good on the eye, we've looked open. Football's not just about going forward, you know. You need a balance, and it seems that Fellaini has given us that.

 

[surf]

You need a midfield gadfly like Fellaini if you want to play yesterday's possession tactic consistently in the Premier League. We see it with Arsenal that it's all too easy to bully a side like that when it's slightly off its game. Fellaini is the safety net who ensures that doesn't happen. He's a key figure to the way opponents approach games against us.

Agree with all of that. He complements the Mata/Carrick/Blind type of midfielders. Was slightly worried yesterday that he might get a second yellow but LVG kept him on as if he trusted Fellaini's judgement and ability to avoid it.

 

[Silverman]

I am so glad for the poor bugger. Had to put up with a lot last season and the start of this one. He is playing well and deserves to be in the squad.

 

[Crackers]

Do we...do we have a working midfield?!

Yes, we actually do! It's a weird feeling.

 

[bosnian_red]

I really like how each of our midfielders offers something different to our midfield. It's no different with Fellaini this season. He's been fantastic.

Yep, our midfield has an excellent balance to it. Carrick in the holding role, has that defensive nous, an excellent passing range, and adds some physical presence. Fellaini has the physical presence more then anybody, is energetic (though seemed lazy last season as many criticized him for), and has the height of course, Herrera the energetic and creative one, very good technique wise and a very quick passer, and the Blind with his intelligence and movement defensively to keep the game ticking along. Then also Di Maria if we want to put in there. Add Strootman in to it for next season and we're set there depth wise as well, with Pereira as the youngster but plenty of potential to fill in for the creative role in midfield.

 

[bosnian_red]

I'm glad Fellaini is performing in midfield like he did when Moyes first brought him in. He's really turned it around when you compare him to his first few matches this season, and he's made himself a key figure under van Gaal.

It's interesting to think that, during the summer, most of us (me as well) thought that he wouldn't fit in to this team, and Cleverley would. I doubt anyone would think of this now.

He's playing at his best now, and it's benefitting our attacking players that he can win the ball and draw opponents to him. Herrera and/or Mata can work very well with Fellaini and Carrick/Blind in the team.

Who thought Cleverley was anything other then a bottom half standard player?? But yeah, Fellaini really surprised me. I was one of his biggest critics, never wanted him here in the first place but he's proven his worth and usefulness. Still don't think he'll be a key player or starting 11 player long term, but he'll be like a Park, or Fletcher under Fergie. Will still get loads of games, especially as we'll be back in the CL next season, and will also be the plan B option when we want to change our way of playing or have more of a physical presence or height.

 

[mazhar13]

Who thought Cleverley was anything other then a bottom half standard player?? But yeah, Fellaini really surprised me. I was one of his biggest critics, never wanted him here in the first place but he's proven his worth and usefulness. Still don't think he'll be a key player or starting 11 player long term, but he'll be like a Park, or Fletcher under Fergie. Will still get loads of games, especially as we'll be back in the CL next season, and will also be the plan B option when we want to change our way of playing or have more of a physical presence or height.

That's pretty much the way I see it as well. He'll be a valuable squad player like Park and Fletcher pre-08/09 were. He will get quite a number of matches, and he will be useful in disrupting the opposition and providing the players the freedom to play their game.

 

[mazhar13]

@Walters_19_MuFc

I think we are saying pretty much the same thing, but you took one statement of mines and interpreted it as a criticism of Fellaini rather than as a criticism of the team setup. As you can see from my recent posts here, I do not disregard Fellaini in any way. I have nothing against him as a player and as a person.

 

[Cheesy]

Who thought Cleverley was anything other then a bottom half standard player?? But yeah, Fellaini really surprised me. I was one of his biggest critics, never wanted him here in the first place but he's proven his worth and usefulness. Still don't think he'll be a key player or starting 11 player long term, but he'll be like a Park, or Fletcher under Fergie. Will still get loads of games, especially as we'll be back in the CL next season, and will also be the plan B option when we want to change our way of playing or have more of a physical presence or height.

A lot still held hope that Cleverley would go on and become a big player for us. Granted, most of that sentiment was gone by this year though. Even then, some felt that while Cleverley was a fairly average passenger who you could throw into the midfield if need be, Fellaini was a bombscare who couldn't play in central mid.

 

[MoskvaRed]

Fellaini has shown great strength of character to come back - I can't think of many (any?) United players who have recovered from being the subject of sarcastic applause to earning respect like he has over the last 6 weeks. Credit to Van Gaal as well of course, as Fellaini is not the only member of the squad to start looking like a footballer again. As we expect to be back in the CL next year, then I see no reason why Fellaini can't be a very useful player to have around (and whinging about the transfer fee won't persuade Everton to offer us a partial refund). As for Cleverley, he's definitely bottom half PL/good Championship club material - again Van Gaal was spot on with his judgement.

 

[Shark]

The amount of times he's won back possession for us, especially in the big games is truly brilliant.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

@Walters_19_MuFc

I think we are saying pretty much the same thing, but you took one statement of mines and interpreted it as a criticism of Fellaini rather than as a criticism of the team setup. As you can see from my recent posts here, I do not disregard Fellaini in any way. I have nothing against him as a player and as a person.

Well, when you single out one player for our 'disjointed attacks', of course I'm going to interpret as a criticism, especially when there's another nine outfield players to pick from. It's a team effort, and against Palace, our creative players simply didn't do enough.

 

[Shamwow]

I genuinely think that if you did nothing but make him a few inches shorter and give him a hair cut, quite a few people would have a higher opinion of his technical ability.

 

[fatboy]

Agreed. IMO he's technically better than most people think. A lot has been made about that infamously inflated fee we paid. But I do wonder, how much do people think he's worth now? Some were even ready to "cut losses" and take 12-15mil for him in the summer. I reckon he's worth closer to 20mil now (considering the super-inflated Premier league prices). Still not a good deal, but not exactly a disaster either.

All players have their strengths and weaknesses, Fellaini is no different. It's the coaches job to pick a balanced team to make sure they can cover and complement each other. So all credit to LvG.

 

[charleysurf]

I genuinely think that if you did nothing but make him a few inches shorter and give him a hair cut, quite a few people would have a higher opinion of his technical ability.

I like Fellaini, but when he was the scapegoat I kind of hoped he'd chop his hair, just to have one less thing for the haters to target. I guess now he has proved himself a useful player I'm happy for him to have it as big as he wants. The kind of people still using it against him are not worth worrying about.

 

[fishfingers15]

Complete turnaround from the ironic cheers at the beginning. Our matchgoing fans are brilliant, but on that occasion they clearly overstepped the line. Some even tried to shout it down, but Fellaini has clearly played well when he has been called. He may not play in all matches, but he is clearly a contributing member of the squad and that's good enough. He had no control on what we paid for him, so that's none of his fault.

 

[No11]

Herrera does get around, but hassling is different to having a physical presence.

Oscar at Chelsea also hassles players well, but he is a bit lightweight.

At 6ft4, Fellaini is a tall, strong, imposing player, who possibly intimidates his opponents (except Wilshere) by just looking at him, nevermind what he actually does to players in a physical battle.

Herrera hassles players. He's far from lightweight.

Read the quote above, it makes sense.
Fellaini offers something we need atm, as i say until we find a better option i would stick with him.

 

[Loublaze]

Read the quote above, it makes sense.
Fellaini offers something we need atm, as i say until we find a better option i would stick with him.

No we don't. How many of the top teams in Europe need an intimidating player these days? Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern don't have a Fellaini. If anything it just shows how limited we've become. This is not saying he hasn't done well recently, but he's still a squad player at best and a good option B to have. He should only be starting certain games. Herrera is the much better player who will link up well with others and bring the best out of them.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

No we don't. How many of the top teams in Europe need an intimidating player these days? Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern don't have a Fellaini. If anything it just shows how limited we've become. This is not saying he hasn't done well recently, but he's still a squad player at best and a good option B to have. He should only be starting certain games. Herrera is the much better player who will link up well with others and bring the best out of them.

Fecking hell, this Hererra vs Fellaini stuff was tiresome enough before the game against Hull. Why on earth is it still going after a game where they both played well as part of the same XI?!