Yes I remember it well. That's what Moyes brought him here to be and it's a pretty obvious statement to make as a new signing. He's also said his position is not a midfielder or defensive midfielder and he doesn't like defensive midfield.
No. That wasn't just a new signing statement. He has said he prefers to play in midfield before he signed for United, more than once. Such as this from 2012:
http://www.skysports.com/football/n...ould-prefer-to-play-as-a-defensive-midfielder
Also, when he's been used as a forward by LvG, he says he plays there to help the team, but he wants to play in midfield, so he's clearly not just pandering to the manager.
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fellaini-im-midfielder-not-striker
When he signed:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...-on-Sunday-but-what-sort-of-player-is-he.html
But for me, my best position is defensive midfield – stopping the opposition and then looking to impose myself on a game. When I play up front, it’s hard. It’s not my position and I find it difficult.”
Care to post these quotes where he says he doesn't like to play defensive midfield? Because there are at least 3 counts of him saying it is his best position, and I can't find any of him saying otherwise.
Have you ever considered that Fellaini himself has said he's a forward player. Have you heard of Phil Neville? Are you aware he played for Everton and said Fellaini is forward player.
I'm also not aware of PNev saying that. Can you post the quotes? Here are the ones I can find:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31901145
He is at his best in a midfield three with a licence to get from box to box, like he does when he plays for Belgium.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...d-coach-Phil-Neville-ahead-Everton-clash.html
‘When he came at United he wasn’t fully match fit but we are getting him fitter, fitter to play for Man United and fitter to be that box-to-box player to be able to get in on the end of crosses and then get back to defend crosses. That is what we want him to do.
Moyes allegedly brought him here as a midfielder but all he ever was for Everton was a nuisance forward player who got away with a lot. He should not be a even squad player for United.
No. He's played predominantly as a CM or a DM every year bar 12/13 when Cahill left.
15/16: CM/DM 14 apps, AM 4 apps, CF 1 app
14/15: CM/DM 22 apps, AM 6 apps
13/14: CM/DM 23 apps, AM 3 apps
12/13: CM/DM 7 apps, AM 29 apps
11/12: CM/DM 38 apps, AM 3 apps
10/11: CM/DM 15 apps, AM 5 apps
09/10: CM/DM 20 apps, AM 16 apps
Infact, it was the brutish defensive job he did on Liverpool at Anfield for Standard Liege in the Champions League that brought him to the attention of English clubs. The only coach who I have heard say Fellaini is best as an advanced player is Steve Round. It's up for debate as to how valuable Round's opinion is.