[Insanity]

Sorry but we will have to disagree. I was watching and counting passes with Fellaini last season when all this hoofball thing was the favourite myth repeated on here. I think you are completely wrong, next game he plays do the numbers.

You too.

I am not saying that it was all we did when Fellaini started games, or that he didn't act as viable and useful outlet for De Gea whenever we couldn't move the ball out passing from the defense. However, it was our only plan when we went behind or were chasing a win in the last 15-20 minutes. It's was a regular 'Find Fellaini' contest that the rest of the team indulged in those situations.

 

[Stack]

You too.

I am not saying that it was all we did when Fellaini started games, or that he didn't act as viable and useful outlet for De Gea whenever we couldn't move the ball out passing from the defense. However, it was our only plan when we went behind or were chasing a win in the last 15-20 minutes. It's was a regular 'Find Fellaini' contest that the rest of the team indulged in those situations.

Bollocks, you only think that because its what you were looking for. If you truely believe that then to me you clearly werent watching very closely. Again, I repeat, try making some notes next time, count the passes and then see whats really going on. I did and it was quite different to what you and others were claiming what was happening.
Remember that infamous game where OPTA stats were being quoted to damn RVP, something to the effect of only 7 touches all game?. I believed it at the time because it was the impression I had. Myself and a few others checked the replay of the game and those OPTA stats were complete bollocks, he made a decent number more touches than they were reporting. Once more, next time trying actually doing the numbers.

 

[shamans]

You too.

I am not saying that it was all we did when Fellaini started games, or that he didn't act as viable and useful outlet for De Gea whenever we couldn't move the ball out passing from the defense. However, it was our only plan when we went behind or were chasing a win in the last 15-20 minutes. It's was a regular 'Find Fellaini' contest that the rest of the team indulged in those situations.

Either you haven't seen actual hoof ball tactics or you don't know how Fellaini plays.

Not even Everton played the hoof ball tactic as much as people here believe. It's all a myth. Being dominant in the air does not mean your team is playing hoof ball

 

[.Rossi]

Normally, I'd beg anyone to buy him but...

LVG thinks Rooney can score 30 goals?!?!?! Worse yet, so does Rooney!

Bung him up top behind Rooney. It's the only way he'll get 30 goals

 

[Insanity]

Bollocks, you only think that because its what you were looking for. If you truely believe that then to me you clearly werent watching very closely. Again, I repeat, try making some notes next time, count the passes and then see whats really going on. I did and it was quite different to what you and others were claiming what was happening.

Remember that infamous game where OPTA stats were being quoted to damn RVP, something to the effect of only 7 touches all game?. I believed it at the time because it was the impression I had. Myself and a few others checked the replay of the game and those OPTA stats were complete bollocks, he made a decent number more touches than they were reporting. Once more, next time trying actually doing the numbers.

Not bollocks. I don't "look for" anything, I watch the games for entertainment and am fully cognizant of the what I am watching.

If anything, maybe you and me both need to watch the games again, and then let's reconvene on a later date, otherwise it's just calling each others posts 'Bollocks'. Or we can wait till next season when Fellaini has played a few games. Your choice.

About the second paragraph, I don't really know or care. I have never even been to any stats sites as they don't interest me. I am not here to prove anyone wrong in order to make myself look better. I am interested in football discussions, I look at posts and reply, not posters.

 

[roykeane19]

Hes a very limited player but I think his goals saved LVG job, as it was looking likely we were going to finish outside top 4 once again, as our play has absolutely no attacking threat whatsoever

As our strikers where absolutely dismal we got a good few goals from fellaini and herrera to win us games

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Even he will be ahead of Herrera.

 

[Walrus]

This hoofball thing with Fellaini is this weird urban myth. I dont know if you lot actually watch whats going on when he is playing. Most of the passes he makes and he receives are on the deck. Sure he is able to compete for aerial balls from the keeper etc but maybe people have the impression he is used for hoofball because he competes so often for those balls. Next game he plays my suggestion to all of you who think he is used to enable hoofball is to sit down with a pen and paper and make a note of how often he receives aerial balls and how often he receives to his feet. You all might get a rude surprise. Honestly I don wonder if people actually watch games properly and I also think there is a fair bit of confirmation bias kicking in.

This is more or less what I spent most of last season saying. At this point I have pretty much given up, people will believe what they want to believe. I agree with your assessment though, that it feels like people just see "Fellaini" on the team sheet and assume that we just played 90 yard passes all game without actually watching.

What I do think is that WHEN our defenders needed to play it long, Fellaini provided a great outball for them. If he wasn't on the pitch it would be classed as a clearance, but the same thing with Fellaini and it becomes hoofball apparently.

 

[United again!]

Bollocks, you only think that because its what you were looking for. If you truely believe that then to me you clearly werent watching very closely. Again, I repeat, try making some notes next time, count the passes and then see whats really going on. I did and it was quite different to what you and others were claiming what was happening.
Remember that infamous game where OPTA stats were being quoted to damn RVP, something to the effect of only 7 touches all game?. I believed it at the time because it was the impression I had. Myself and a few others checked the replay of the game and those OPTA stats were complete bollocks, he made a decent number more touches than they were reporting. Once more, next time trying actually doing the numbers.

It isn't bollocks. There is no need to be this rabid. There has been a times (not every game) where we have used punting it up to Fellaini as a legitimate tactic in the last 15 minutes of games. That can't really be denied, we all saw it last season. I understand it wasn't to the extent that the post described, but to mention it as though it has never happened I think is incorrect.

Regarding Fellaini himself, I think he became almost a security blanket type player for Van Gaal. Someone who he knew he fit Van Gaal's sterile role such that keeping the ball and clogging the lanes and generally not losing it was a staple that Van Gaal clung to. Plus Fellaini was good at arriving in the box in various situations. I can't really see him letting go of that security blanket role unless it is to someone like Schwiensteiger or Schniederlin. A player who is disciplined enough and strong enough on the ball to retain it and move it along at high rate. Herrera I feel does not (in LVG's eyes) have the discipline or the physical ability (to bail him out) to make that a trusted role. Which is why we aren't seeing him and why he went with Fellaini a lot last season.

I have to admit, the way he handled Fellaini and Marouanne himself coming to the party and upping his game was really a revealing light that Fellaini is actually a much better footballer than people give him credit for. Without buying into the hyperbole I am pretty proud of him for that. Especially after such a torrid first season.

 

[fallengt]

Based on what?

My crystal ball.

 

[Insanity]

It isn't bollocks. There is no need to be this rabid.

I don't let it bother me, that's how he rolls. There is a full gang of these irascible characters, the whole purpose of their posts is to stifle opinions with idiotic tripe like that.

 

[Lawman]

His Stats get boosted as when we are in bother we hit the high diagonal to him. That's a great option to have but if our players were not dwelling on the ball and working an actual opening this pass wouldn't be needed. Can't blame Fellsini for this! Plus DDG uses him as the target in kick outs. The big guy is actually very economic with the ball at his feet passes forward and rarely concedes possession. Set pieces he's a real threat also for and against. I'm delighted he's part of the squad and if he is in the team it doesn't bother me as he's a very good player regardless how unfashionable he is. He has much more than people are willing to give him credit for!!

 

[prarek]

It seems like Fellaini and Herrera aren't a big part of LVG's plans for this season.

 

[United again!]

It seems like Fellaini and Herrera aren't a big part of LVG's plans for this season.

Why Fellaini?..

 

[Litch]

It isn't bollocks. There is no need to be this rabid. There has been a times (not every game) where we have used punting it up to Fellaini as a legitimate tactic in the last 15 minutes of games. That can't really be denied, we all saw it last season. I understand it wasn't to the extent that the post described, but to mention it as though it has never happened I think is incorrect.

Regarding Fellaini himself, I think he became almost a security blanket type player for Van Gaal. Someone who he knew he fit Van Gaal's sterile role such that keeping the ball and clogging the lanes and generally not losing it was a staple that Van Gaal clung to. Plus Fellaini was good at arriving in the box in various situations. I can't really see him letting go of that security blanket role unless it is to someone like Schwiensteiger or Schniederlin. A player who is disciplined enough and strong enough on the ball to retain it and move it along at high rate. Herrera I feel does not (in LVG's eyes) have the discipline or the physical ability (to bail him out) to make that a trusted role. Which is why we aren't seeing him and why he went with Fellaini a lot last season.

I have to admit, the way he handled Fellaini and Marouanne himself coming to the party and upping his game was really a revealing light that Fellaini is actually a much better footballer than people give him credit for. Without buying into the hyperbole I am pretty proud of him for that. Especially after such a torrid first season.

Agree. I predict we are going to see more of him this season because he's different amongst so many players that are similar. Also it's clear we are short up front and he's going to be an option

 

[Alex Styles]

Have I missed something here? In the second hald of the season last year we all saw that Herrera had become one of our most important players and even LVG realised that. Why is it that all of a sudden people think Herrera isn't in LVG's plans? Did he say something?

 

[Smores]

I don't see people's issue with occasionally hoofing it to Fellaini anyway, although I believe he showed a lot more to his game last season.

I'm sure LvG will be aiming for a more attractive style of play but if our starting eleven let us down then there's no crime in utilising the tactical options Fellaini provides. It's up to our flair players to prove themselves more effective.

 

[Stack]

I don't let it bother me, that's how he rolls. There is a full gang of these irascible characters, the whole purpose of their posts is to stifle opinions with idiotic tripe like that

Jesus H Christ, someone disagrees with you and its a gang doing it to stifle opinion???

 

[Mali_Zeus]

It seems like Fellaini and Herrera aren't a big part of LVG's plans for this season.

Based on what?

 

[Walrus]

Love his new profile image - dont know if it is actually new but first time I noticed it!

 

[Maroo]

Thing we really missed him when:

1) The defense was pressed and an outlet for the goalkeeper
2) On crosses and balls into the box

I reckon we would really had more chances with a target man or even a more physical player in the final third.

 

[MUFCpiffgawd]

It was over for Fellaini the moment we signed Bastian and Schneiderlin

 

[Bojan11]

I did think we missed him at times as he is a good outlet to have and Spurs were pressing high.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

It was over for Fellaini the moment we signed Bastian and Schneiderlin

How? Fellaini's not going to be competing with those two. Actually, I honestly think had he been available today, he would have come on for Depay instead of Herrera. He would have been a great outlet for us, especially with Spurs putting pressure late on in the game.

 

[Bojan11]

Also his thread picture

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Felt we missed the big man today.

 

[Walrus]

It was over for Fellaini the moment we signed Bastian and Schneiderlin

How? Fellaini's not going to be competing with those two. Actually, I honestly think had he been available today, he would have come on for Depay instead of Herrera. He would have been a great outlet for us, especially with Spurs putting pressure late on in the game.

I think a few fans are going to be surprised/disappointed when Fellaini starts getting gametime again, once his suspension is over.

 

[ZDwyr]

He would have been a better sub than Herrera for Depay (yes I am aware I will have threats on my life for this comment).

 

[Kounan]

He would have been a better sub than Herrera for Depay (yes I am aware I will have threats on my life for this comment).

But we would have lost the game in that case .

 

[#07]

He would have been a better sub than Herrera for Depay (yes I am aware I will have threats on my life for this comment).

Perfectly reasonable comment given how we set up. If we're going to have our centre midfielders sit so far back from our #10 they will need a target to aim at. Unless we are going to go 4-3-3 and play with our midfielders closer together, Fellaini is a better option in Van Gaal's current system than Herrera, Mata or Memphis.

 

[Raoul]

Where is he ?

 

[Randall Flagg]

Where is he ?

Suspended

 

[Yorkeontop]

It was over for Fellaini the moment we signed Bastian and Schneiderlin

The same Fellaini who had the balls to put in a transfer request at Everton because that how badly he wanted to come here. The same guy who was written off after an unconvincing first season where he also bore the brunt of frustration people had for his soon to be departed manager. Yeah, he sounds like a guy to write off.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

You have to wonder where he will play when he is available again, there are just so many players in the midfield/number 10 position that he might struggle to get on the bench let alone play, that is unless LvG fancies converting him in a striker...

 

[ZDwyr]

You have to wonder where he will play when he is available again, there are just so many players in the midfield/number 10 position that he might struggle to get on the bench let alone play, that is unless LvG fancies converting him in a striker...

Don't see any reason as to why he couldn't play the #10 role?

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Don't see any reason as to why he couldn't play the #10 role?

Not saying he couldn't, but assuming Pedro joins we will have Mata, Herrera, and likely Depay all probably worthy of starting there before him.

Going to be tough for him this season imo.

 

[dustfingers]

Not saying he couldn't, but assuming Pedro joins we will have Mata, Herrera, and likely Depay all probably worthy of starting there before him.

Going to be tough for him this season imo.

He's a unique kind of player. I am sure LvG, being as much of a manager who focuses on opponents weakness and strengths as well as a tactician, would see some uses for him. He can contribute a lot, for example, in games like away to Spurs where they are going to press really hard and we need an outlet for quicker forward transition.

 

[ZDwyr]

Not saying he couldn't, but assuming Pedro joins we will have Mata, Herrera, and likely Depay all probably worthy of starting there before him.

Going to be tough for him this season imo.

I think he would be ahead of Mata and Herrera in that position. Pedro will play wide so they won't be competing. Depay will be the interesting one.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

I think he would be ahead of Mata and Herrera in that position. Pedro will play wide so they won't be competing. Depay will be the interesting one.

If he's ahead of Mata in the number 10 role then I would worry for us, Mata could well be the best number 10 in the league if given the chance.

 

[Kostur]

If he's ahead of Mata in the number 10 role then I would worry for us, Mata could well be the best number 10 in the league if given the chance.

But he's considered a winger, which was even proven yesterday when Januzaj could've as well played on the wing, so it's irrelevant what he could be as our manager doesn't see him as a #10, shame or not. It's not like Mata's failing to deliver from the wing.

And as dustfingers said, he's pretty much an unique player, different from the ones mentioned above and I see him getting plenty of games this season.