[dichinero]

I mentioned that run of good football because you we're saying we only played long balls with Fellaini on the pitch, which we clearly didn't.

Pereira and TFM can still be in the squad even with Fellaini staying.

In the end it comes down to you not rating Fellaini, whereas i think he can contribute to our season. Maybe we should end it with that.

I have not said that we only play long balls when he's in the pitch. I said that managers and players use the Fellaini option as an easy way out rather than trying up their game or tempo. Either way, we are more than likely to play more long balls with him on the pitch which is playing to his strengths and even then he is hardly effective contrary to popular belief.

This is nothing to do with me not rating the player but stating the obvious. The Belgian campaign is clear for all to see, managed by a manager that favours Fellaini. Played good football on the floor without him and win. Panicked and brought him on in the second half against Wales and played long balls at will while Wales kept it on the ground and won.

You have to ask yourself, what percentage of football is played in the air? 10% max? How often does Fellaini dominate when the ball is in the air? 30% at most imo. So when the ball is not in the air, what exactly is he doing that even a young Pereira cannot do if not better?

I want United to get better and go back to the top. None of the clubs we aspire to be at the top footballing wise have this calibre of player. Not one resorts to the long ball tactics even when they are desperate. Even West Ham that have a way superior target man in Carroll play a lot of their game on the ground. Carroll is not interior when the ball is not in the air either.

We can pretend that Fellaini is not a long ball player all we wants because it would look bad on us but it the only reason Moyes brought him in and wanted to bring Baines as well to complement him imo, to use him as a battering ram upfront. Even then, it was an epic failure. If the manager that had nurtured him for almost a decade cannot remotely bring out any usefulness from Fellaini, it tells the whole story. No top manager in football would look at him. How many players of that ilk have moved to the top clubs. Even the ones that are twice the player Fellaini is.

So yeah, we can deceive ourselves and live in hope and sentiments, thinking that Fellani is anything more than what we have seen while we get left behind.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

I have not said that we only play long balls when he's in the pitch. I said that managers and players use the Fellaini option as an easy way out rather than trying up their game or tempo. Either way, we are more than likely to play more long balls with him on the pitch which is playing to his strengths and even then he is hardly effective contrary to popular belief.

This is nothing to do with me not rating the player but stating the obvious. The Belgian campaign is clear for all to see, managed by a manager that favours Fellaini. Played good football on the floor without him and win. Panicked and brought him on in the second half against Wales and played long balls at will while Wales kept it on the ground and won.

You have to ask yourself, what percentage of football is played in the air? 10% max? How often does Fellaini dominate when the ball is in the air? 30% at most imo. So when the ball is not in the air, what exactly is he doing that even a young Pereira cannot do if not better?

I want United to get better and go back to the top. None of the clubs we aspire to be at the top footballing wise have this calibre of player. Not one resorts to the long ball tactics even when they are desperate. Even West Ham that have a way superior target man in Carroll play a lot of their game on the ground. Carroll is not interior when the ball is not in the air either.

We can pretend that Fellaini is not a long ball player all we wants because it would look bad on us but it the only reason Moyes brought him in and wanted to bring Baines as well to complement him imo, to use him as a battering ram upfront. Even then, it was an epic failure. If the manager that had nurtured him for almost a decade cannot remotely bring out any usefulness from Fellaini, it tells the whole story. No top manager in football would look at him. How many players of that ilk have moved to the top clubs. Even the ones that are twice the player Fellaini is.

So yeah, we can deceive ourselves and live in hope and sentiments, thinking that Fellani is anything more than what we have seen while we get left behind.

So i don't want United to be back at the top, because i think Fellaini is a good player to have in our squad?

Moyes was too afraid to use Fellaini in his best position, which is behind the striker. He tried to use him as a box-to-box next to Carrick, a role which he clearly doesn't have the technical ability to do.

 

[Mark Pawelek]

Having read Jose's tactical blueprints years ago (Porto days) he usually goes for an imposing and confident defensive midfield. I don't think Fellaini fits the description but if he stays, my bets are on him playin as 6.

No, he can't be a #6. Too slow, gives too many fouls away. He will give goals away too if those fouls are just outside our box. No one needs a #6 who's good in the air. TFM will do a better, more mobile job.

 

[dichinero]

So i don't want United to be back at the top, because i think Fellaini is a good player to have in our squad?

Moyes was too afraid to use Fellaini in his best position, which is behind the striker. He tried to use him as a box-to-box next to Carrick, a role which he clearly doesn't have the technical ability to do.

So which is it? The manager thinks his best position is high up the pitch but is afraid to use him (that made me chuckle) and when he is deployed there he has been largely crap BUT the players swears that he is a better DM but he hasn't got any ability to do jack?

Is he sharing notes with Rooney?

 

[MThomas]

Plenty of top teams have used target men as an option in their team, it doesn't mean you have to do it constantly.

I doubt anyone meant we did it 100% of the time, doesn't really change the fact that Fellainis greatest weaknesses show when the ball is played quickly along the ground, while his best strengths are shown when it's knocked up long to him. He was absolutely dire last night until he was moved up front to win a few headers

 

[broccoli]

No, he can't be a #6. Too slow, gives too many fouls away. He will give goals away too if those fouls are just outside our box. No one needs a #6 who's good in the air. TFM will do a better, more mobile job.

Some notable lightning quick 6's that played for Jose: Costinha, Motta, Cambiasso, Xabi Alonso, Makelele... But ye I agree TFM can become twice the player, as long as he has the proper mentality for the role.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

Is Moptop officially redundant now we have Ibrahimovic (and possibly pogba)?

It's hard to deny in certain games Fellaini had his uses for set pieces and physicality. Ibra can give us that in both attack and defending set pieces as well as actually being able to play football.

 

[Everest Red]

Is Moptop officially redundant now we have Ibrahimovic (and possibly pogba)?

It's hard to deny in certain games Fellaini had his uses for set pieces and physicality. Ibra can give us that in both attack and defending set pieces as well as actually being able to play football.

That would signal the end of dark times.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Jose wants specialists and Fella is one so i doubt he will be leaving. Nobody chests the ball better then him

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Jose wants specialists and Fella is one so i doubt he will be leaving. Nobody chests the ball better then him

Haha, what position, though?

If we play a 4231, then I can't see him staying.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

Haha, what position, though?

If we play a 4231, then I can't see him staying.

number 10 obviously

 

[AndyJ1985]

Jose wants specialists and Fella is one so i doubt he will be leaving. Nobody chests the ball better then him

He's a specialist in being a big useless lump. Can't wait to see the back of him.

 

[Mike09]

After Ibra signing I'm convinced that he will leave. I don't see any reason why we need to keep him when Ibra can offer what Fellaini offers. Height and winning header in set pieces. And also if the 4th player is really going to be centre mid then it's game over for Fellaini.

 

[snk123]

After Ibra signing I'm convinced that he will leave. I don't see any reason why we need to keep him when Ibra can offer what Fellaini offers. Height and winning header in set pieces. And also if the 4th player is really going to be centre mid then it's game over for Fellaini.

Agreed. But Fellani is also very useful in defending set pieces - I hope Jose addresses that area as well.

 

[devilish]

number 10 obviously

A 6ft4 backing a 6ft5 upfront would bring tears to Big Sam's eyes.

 

[Pexbo]

Agreed. But Fellani is also very useful in defending set pieces - I hoepe Jose addresses that area as well.

If we get all our targets, we won't need Fellaini to play "for set peices".

Zlatan - 6ft 5in
Bailly - 6ft 2in
Smalling - 6ft 4in
Pogba - 6ft 3in
Shaw - 6ft 1in
Schneiderlin 6ft 1in
Martial 6ft
Carrick 6ft 2in


Imposing team.

 

[Galactic]

I can see Jose keeping him. He has composure, experience, works hard for the team and is very good in the air. He just needs to stop fouling people. He doesn't need to do that.

 

[Adisa]

Been photographed smoking.

 

[dichinero]

Is he still here?

 

[Mike09]

Agreed. But Fellani is also very useful in defending set pieces - I hope Jose addresses that area as well.

He addressed it well I think so far.
Carrick - 1 year extension
Ibra - free
Baily - £30m

Not to mention Smalling and Shaw are tall enough as well.

 

[noodlehair]

Is Moptop officially redundant now we have Ibrahimovic (and possibly pogba)?

It's hard to deny in certain games Fellaini had his uses for set pieces and physicality. Ibra can give us that in both attack and defending set pieces as well as actually being able to play football.

The thing is we were useless at both defending and attacking set pieces whether he was in the team or not. I suspect having centrebacks at centreback might help with the defending as it means not having to disorganise the entire team at every set piece to account for one of them not being.

Our attacking set pieces might become a bit better when we stop pratting around trying to be clever with them despite having a team of idiots.

 

[stevoc]

The thing is we were useless at both defending and attacking set pieces whether he was in the team or not. I suspect having centrebacks at centreback might help with the defending as it means not having to disorganise the entire team at every set piece to account for one of them not being one.

Our attacking set pieces might become a bit better when we stop pratting around trying to be clever with them despite having a team of idiots.

Yeah i agree that was obvious to almost everyone but Van Gaal.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

The thing is we were useless at both defending and attacking set pieces whether he was in the team or not. I suspect having centrebacks at centreback might help with the defending as it means not having to disorganise the entire team at every set piece to account for one of them not being.

Our attacking set pieces might become a bit better when we stop pratting around trying to be clever with them despite having a team of idiots.

It is frustrating how crap he is at scoring from headers.

 

[devilish]

I can see Jose keeping him. He has composure, experience, works hard for the team and is very good in the air. He just needs to stop fouling people. He doesn't need to do that.

Jose is not Big Sam

 

[Dans]

He and his elbows are a liability - Jose's seen the light with Rooney, he'll see the light with Fellaini too. In Jose we trust.

 

[ti vu]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-uniteds-marouane-fellaini-risks-8364633

On the way out?

 

[Siorac]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-uniteds-marouane-fellaini-risks-8364633

On the way out?

I never knew he had a twin brother. And he's called Mansour of all things. I suspect the past three years with him were all about a gigantic Man City conspiracy.

 

[Mark Pawelek]

Glad to see his mother and father stopped posting here in his support. Consider: a comparison of the average number of points scored per United game when certain players played (last season):

Bastian: 1.73
Fellaini: 1.51
Young: 1.8
Mata: 1.74

Notice how low it gets with Fellaini? Yet the whole excuse for playing him is he's supposed to be effective.

 

[Ish]

Glad to see his mother and father stopped posting here in his support. Consider: a comparison of the average number of points scored per United game when certain players played (last season):

Bastian: 1.73
Fellaini: 1.51
Young: 1.8
Mata: 1.74

Notice how low it gets with Fellaini? Yet the whole excuse for playing him is he's supposed to be effective.

which posters would that be?

 

[NinjaFletch]

which posters would that be?

Walrus and his 154 posts in this thread might be a good place to start looking!

 

[harms]

Notice how low it gets with Fellaini? Yet the whole excuse for playing him is he's supposed to be effective.

But... he is the only one who shows character and gets stuck in!

And a good spot on the mother and father . This is the only thread where I decided to use the ignore function so that I won't participate in pointless discussions anymore

 

[Ish]

Walrus and his 154 posts in this thread might be a good place to start looking!

 

[Nighteyes]

Glad to see his mother and father stopped posting here in his support. Consider: a comparison of the average number of points scored per United game when certain players played (last season):

Bastian: 1.73
Fellaini: 1.51
Young: 1.8
Mata: 1.74

Notice how low it gets with Fellaini? Yet the whole excuse for playing him is he's supposed to be effective.

Fantastic stats.

I hope Mourinho sees this and realizes we need to start Ashley Young. He's clearly the most effective of the lot. We should also ensure Rojo starts every game for us given our record with him in the team is much better. Who needs Luke Shaw? Maybe Romero ahead of De Gea as given his clean sheet/game record is better as well. You might be onto something here

 

[red4ever 79]

Is he still with us?

He would be first out the door, and before the door would close I would like to push Rooney out with him

 

[Mark Pawelek]

Is he still with us?

He would be first out the door, and before the door would close I would like to push Rooney out with him

Rooney is one of United's more effective performers. United average 1.85 points when Rooney plays.

 

[iKeano]

I can see Jose keeping him. He has composure, experience, works hard for the team and is very good in the air. He just needs to stop fouling people. He doesn't need to do that.

He also needs to learn how to run fast, jump high, win headers, tackle, keep his rancid elbows down, learn to pass the ball more than 10 yards, learn to pass the ball forward, score.... & get a hair cut.

I never knew he had a twin brother. And he's called Mansour of all things. I suspect the past three years with him were all about a gigantic Man City conspiracy.

Maybe Mansour played 95% of the games in Fellaini's place this past 3 years.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Sold.yet?