[Perrick Dubois]

He was ok at Bournemouth but that was about it and he definitely doesn't deserve any commendation last night for his performance, effort is only thing he deserves some credit for. Your bias is clear as you conveniently ignore his most memorable moment in the game which was a deliberate elbow.

We clearly differ in opinion and I guess you can't let it go so good luck to you. For the record, I care not about Fellaini nor his elbows. He can elbow whoever he likes as far as I am concerned and if it is some scouse shithouse or Zabaletta or the Queen Mathilde herself. Could not give less of a toss.

Just calling it as I see it, a bit of fight in the shirt warrants commendation from last night and the last few games that is all I have said. His game against Bournemouth was just a good game of football which deserves praise which answers your question.

 

[Roboc7]

We clearly differ in opinion and I guess you can't let it go so good luck to you. For the record, I care not about Fellaini nor his elbows. He can elbow whoever he likes as far as I am concerned and if it is some scouse shithouse or Zabaletta or the Queen Mathilde herself. Could not give less of a toss.

Just calling it as I see it, a bit of fight in the shirt warrants commendation from last night and the last few games that is all I have said. His game against Bournemouth was just a good game of football which deserves praise which answers your question.

Well like I said not had a good game for a year and most memorable thing he did last night was elbow someone in the face, maybe if he had correctly been sent off you would care. If running around a lot without doing much is good enough for you then fair enough but you clearly have low standards.

 

[Perrick Dubois]

Well like I said not had a good game for a year and most memorable thing he did last night was elbow someone in the face, maybe if he had correctly been sent off you would care. If running around a lot without doing much is good enough for you then fair enough but you clearly have low standards.

The Bournemouth game was in December. I think you mean last year.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

When judging Fellaini, it's important to understand the kind of player he is.

One thing that he has definitely and conclusively proven in his near-three years at Manchester United, is that he is not a defensive/central midfielder. He isn't going to screen your back four, he isn't going to pass it out of trouble and into space when pressed, he isn't going to win the midfield battle in your own half/at the half way line, and he isn't going to set the tempo. He sometimes plays there but usually ends up fairly further forward and not truly contributing as a CM/DM needs to.

So then what kind of player is he? The the most common answer is that he is a "different option". Alright, so many squads are improved by having a unique option to bring on to unsettle the other team. A player that brings odd attributes to the table that aim to disrupt first and then dominate from thereon. So how does Fellaini? I suppose it's his ability to hold the ball up and bring it out of the air under control. It is a useful option, however, I would question how often Fellaini has played for us, and how often he has used this "unsettling skillset" of his successfully. For me, it has worked very very rarely, and only against a few of the better teams. That's it. So I question how much this option works, at the outset.

Now, leaving the "surprise" element of Fellaini which works in very are cases aside, if he's not a CM/DM (as mentined earlier) then he is either an AM or a SS or a mix of the two. So let's judge him on the basis of that, and the answer is that he obviously is nowhere near good enough as a starter. He barely ever scores, he's as likely to play a creative through pass as De Gea, he has no pace and he can't dribble either. Squad option as a 10, then? That leaves our squad options as Herrera, Mata, Fellaini and Rooney. I'd argue that this is a poor set of #10s and that we need to trim down and ensure we have true quality and not 4 different but ineffective options.

I'd personally sell.

 

[Adisa]

 

[B20]

That was a ridiculous moment.

Thought he played well overall though. The only one to really put himself about.

 

[Needham]

Sometimes I do feel a bit sorry for the guy. Amid a sea of inconsistent or poor performances, Fellaini often stands out merely because he looks so Fellaini-ish, persisting with that daft hair that makes him look like something created by Sesame Street. Just draws further attention to his ungainly and spotty contributions. He'd be a really central contributor to a team fighting to stay up, but he's not going to ever help the rhythm of a top team, which we certainly aren't yet anyway.

 

[MThomas]

That was a ridiculous moment.

Thought he played well overall though. The only one to really put himself about.

Put himself about, you mean elbowing players ?

 

[B20]

Put himself about, you mean elbowing players ?

Well besides that.

He wasn't great, but better than most of the others out there.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

I honestly don't understand why he plays in midfield...

He spent five years at Everton and was highly successful playing much further forward but we've had two clowns who think he's a central midfielder. Clueless.

 

[Walrus]

Against weaker teams I prefer Fellaini in midfield than a pair of holding mids who daren't venture past the halfway line. Against good teams he is one of the only players who shows any sort of passion, fight, aggression etc and isn't just a shrinking violet on the pitch.

 

[MThomas]

Well besides that.

He wasn't great, but better than most of the others out there.

It's not an excuse, this has been his level for quite some time.

 

[ravi2]

He never should have been bought and is just another example why we need a DOF.

 

[Donut]

He really needs to leave, there is just too much animosity towards him now, since he's a real symbol for both Moyes' & LVG's reign.

Even when he has a decent game, people (me included) only see the negatives, it's just not good for any party.

 

[CassiusClaymore]

I honestly don't understand why he plays in midfield...

He spent five years at Everton and was highly successful playing much further forward but we've had two clowns who think he's a central midfielder. Clueless.

Err... one of those clowns was his manager at Everton.

 

[We need an rvn]

hopefully he'll be one of the first out of the door when whoever gets to take over comes in.

what i don't understand is that Louie's all been for possession football. we have better players in our squad than fellaini who can pass a ball but as soon as fellaini is fit LVG seems to abandon his philosophy and get the thug in and whack it up to him

 

[Cheesy]

Against weaker teams I prefer Fellaini in midfield than a pair of holding mids who daren't venture past the halfway line. Against good teams he is one of the only players who shows any sort of passion, fight, aggression etc and isn't just a shrinking violet on the pitch.

The problem with Fellaini though is that he never ventures past the midfield at the right moment. I noticed it a lot last night. There were times where we'd be mounting an attack, with our four main attackers all in and around the penalty area. Despite presumably being the more advanced of the two midfield options, however, Fellaini was often nowhere to be seen. Instead of lurking on the edge of the area for a stray pass to allow him to get a shot away, he wasn't, well, doing anything. He'd sometimes venture into the picture by the time the ball was out, and the play was dead.

Then, on other times, he'd be standing in someone's else's space in the box at the moment random and unwanted moments. Like, when on particular ball was knocked to Rashford, and Fellaini was essentially obstructing him.

He doesn't really show that much fight or passion, unless passion constitutes elbowing players on the face and nearly getting sent off a lot for it. He works hard...when it suits him. There are so many occasions where he needs to be getting forward or back, but he's just strolling around in midfield, not doing much. A player with fight and aggression would be working hard to link our midfield between attack and defence, while constantly looking to make good challenges/interceptions, and create chances. Fellaini doesn't do that. Can anyone name a series of excellent chances that came about because of him? He certainly wasn't bossing the midfield, or imposing himself upon it either. He just would occasionally receive the ball, and look to shift it off to a better passer beside him.

 

[Rykker_4united]

Can't pass, can't shoot, can't win balls in the air, can't defend. Elbows people. Make of that what you will.

 

[Sunny Jim]

fecking hate when he elbows people. it's like jumping up and elbowing someone is one action for him

 

[Silverman]

Not his fault but he's not good enough for United. Should be sold this summer.

 

[Walrus]

The problem with Fellaini though is that he never ventures past the midfield at the right moment. I noticed it a lot last night. There were times where we'd be mounting an attack, with our four main attackers all in and around the penalty area. Despite presumably being the more advanced of the two midfield options, however, Fellaini was often nowhere to be seen. Instead of lurking on the edge of the area for a stray pass to allow him to get a shot away, he wasn't, well, doing anything. He'd sometimes venture into the picture by the time the ball was out, and the play was dead.

It is a difficult one at times. One thing I noticed was that when we were looking to launch a counterattack and Fellaini was high up the pitch, he would often just allow our attackers to overtake him with the ball and hang back. It is hard to know how much of his positioning/movement is down to instruction from LVG and how much is due to the player.
For my money, I think he is told by LVG to get up the pitch at times to give our defenders/GK a target if they need to make a clearance or play it long. I also think that he knows he isnt the quickest player over 50m so if a fast paced counterattack is on then he deliberately hangs back to allow the faster players to break forward.

He doesn't really show that much fight or passion, unless passion constitutes elbowing players on the face and nearly getting sent off a lot for it. He works hard...when it suits him. There are so many occasions where he needs to be getting forward or back, but he's just strolling around in midfield, not doing much. A player with fight and aggression would be working hard to link our midfield between attack and defence, while constantly looking to make good challenges/interceptions, and create chances. Fellaini doesn't do that. Can anyone name a series of excellent chances that came about because of him? He certainly wasn't bossing the midfield, or imposing himself upon it either. He just would occasionally receive the ball, and look to shift it off to a better passer beside him.

This is classic "Fellaini critic" logic, to try to take any sort of strength or quality that Fellaini has and pass it off, twist it or belittle it. You cant really quantify "fight" or "passion" statistically so all I can say is that you must be watching a different game to me if you dont think that Fellaini imposes himself on the midfield and doesnt inject some aggression, physicality, grit and determination into our team - qualities which I feel are sorely lacking in the majority of the squad.

 

[dichinero]

I honestly don't understand why he plays in midfield...

He spent five years at Everton and was highly successful playing much further forward but we've had two clowns who think he's a central midfielder. Clueless.

No he wasn't! Remember Tim Cahill, the smaller yet technically superior, better at heading and making things happen? That was the successful one. Fellaini's time at Everton is way too overrated.

 

[dichinero]

It is a difficult one at times. One thing I noticed was that when we were looking to launch a counterattack and Fellaini was high up the pitch, he would often just allow our attackers to overtake him with the ball and hang back. It is hard to know how much of his positioning/movement is down to instruction from LVG and how much is due to the player.
For my money, I think he is told by LVG to get up the pitch at times to give our defenders/GK a target if they need to make a clearance or play it long. I also think that he knows he isnt the quickest player over 50m so if a fast paced counterattack is on then he deliberately hangs back to allow the faster players to break forward.



This is classic "Fellaini critic" logic, to try to take any sort of strength or quality that Fellaini has and pass it off, twist it or belittle it. You cant really quantify "fight" or "passion" statistically so all I can say is that you must be watching a different game to me if you dont think that Fellaini imposes himself on the midfield and doesnt inject some aggression, physicality, grit and determination into our team - qualities which I feel are sorely lacking in the majority of the squad.

Mate, I think you are the classic example of a Fellaini "overrater" in context of your comment. I want to take you to the early years of Darren Fletcher and Darron Gibson before the former became the Fletcher we have come to adore. At that time, they weren't even as technically deficient as Fellaini currently but one thing they could not be accused of was not been hard workers on the pitch. When those two went off the pitch you know they left something behind. I agree that our whole team lacks that passion, aggression, physicality, grit and determination but to say that Fellaini shows it is just laughable with all due respect. I'd rather have Gibson or Fletcher instead of the lump that is Fellaini is we are talking about aggression and determination.

 

[Cheesy]

This is classic "Fellaini critic" logic, to try to take any sort of strength or quality that Fellaini has and pass it off, twist it or belittle it. You cant really quantify "fight" or "passion" statistically so all I can say is that you must be watching a different game to me if you dont think that Fellaini imposes himself on the midfield and doesnt inject some aggression, physicality, grit and determination into our team - qualities which I feel are sorely lacking in the majority of the squad.

Again though, I'm failing to see this passion/fight. He usually lumbers around the pitch for most of a game, occasionally with a burst of energy when he feels like it. He's not a leader who drives us forward. He isn't constantly coming in with crucial tackles or interceptions at the most unexpected moment. He isn't bursting a gut to get from end to end. So, apart from being big and strong, how does he impose himself upon the game? I'm just not seeing it. Hell, the stats from against West Ham demonstrate my point...Fellaini was generally on the ball less than most players, gave it away a lot, and wasn't making interceptions or tackles. So, where is this fight? Phrases like "grit" and "determination" feel like buzzwords, because I'm not seeing them at all. I don't see any more determination in him than I do in players like Carrick or Schweinsteiger.

 

[iKeano]

Fellaini imposes himself on the midfield and doesnt inject some aggression, physicality, grit and determination into our team - qualities which I feel are sorely lacking in the majority of the squad.

Problem is, it's not ice hockey Utd play. We don't need an 'enforcer' that can only elbow. We need someone with grit, but can also play football.
He's not hard, he's cynical. Never goes in hard for 50/50 tackles, would rather elbow someone on the sly.

He's far from the only problem Utd have, but he's a stand out symbol of how bad we've become. If anyone thinks he's good enough for Utd, just ask yourself if he would make it into any elite European team? As for this 'do a job' ideology about him... That doesn't wash, this is Man Utd. Being tall shouldn't be a qualification for playing for Utd, but that Dutch fool with the notepad seems to think so.

Really hope both their tenures at Utd are coming to an end.

 

[Siorac]

Problem is, it's not ice hockey Utd play. We don't need an 'enforcer' that can only elbow. We need someone with grit, but can also play football.
He's not hard, he's cynical. Never goes in hard for 50/50 tackles, would rather elbow someone on the sly.

He's far from the only problem Utd have, but he's a stand out symbol of how bad we've become. If anyone thinks he's good enough for Utd, just ask yourself if he would make it into any elite European team? As for this 'do a job' ideology about him... That doesn't wash, this is Man Utd. Being tall shouldn't be a qualification for playing for Utd, but that Dutch fool with the notepad seems to think so.

Really hope both their tenures at Utd are coming to an end.

The twisted thing is he plays the small-ish and lightweight Blind as a CB for his passing - and then plays Fellaini in midfield for his height. Most managers would play, y'know, an actual CB in defence and people who can play football in midfield.

 

[Van Piorsing]

Should pursue another sport like basketball or just McDonald's birthday party mascott.

He had full three years to prove something and he doesn't even have a one stable role on the pitch. Seriously like what the flying f*ck... He's 28 years old and managers still don't have a clue how to properly use him on the pitch.

What's the point of keeping someone like that in the club which got way more bigger ambitions than endlessly accommodating an experienced player on a same wages level as Michael Carrick ? Somebody needs to clean up that mess or just sell him to another club that will have plenty of new problems to deal with.

 

[Walrus]

Mate, I think you are the classic example of a Fellaini "overrater" in context of your comment. I want to take you to the early years of Darren Fletcher and Darron Gibson before the former became the Fletcher we have come to adore. At that time, they weren't even as technically deficient as Fellaini currently but one thing they could not be accused of was not been hard workers on the pitch. When those two went off the pitch you know they left something behind. I agree that our whole team lacks that passion, aggression, physicality, grit and determination but to say that Fellaini shows it is just laughable with all due respect. I'd rather have Gibson or Fletcher instead of the lump that is Fellaini is we are talking about aggression and determination.

Even I as one of Fellaini's most outspoken supporters on here dont thing he should be first choice for United in an ideal world. I have written extensively on the topic that we should have signed at least one other midfielder in the summer that we got Fellaini (and that this is part of the reason why the supporters inherently dislike him).

As things stand in the here and now and with the players that we have though, he is pretty much the only one of our midfielders who can provide the qualities you mentioned for the team. Furthermore, the fact that we have Blind at CB who is by no means physically imposing, I think that LVG feels that he needs Fellaini in the team to counterbalance that (and I dont disagree with him on that tbf) - the set piece goals we have conceded when Fellaini hasn't been on the pitch likely only reinforce LVGs stance in that regard.

Again though, I'm failing to see this passion/fight. He usually lumbers around the pitch for most of a game, occasionally with a burst of energy when he feels like it. He's not a leader who drives us forward. He isn't constantly coming in with crucial tackles or interceptions at the most unexpected moment. He isn't bursting a gut to get from end to end. So, apart from being big and strong, how does he impose himself upon the game? I'm just not seeing it. Hell, the stats from against West Ham demonstrate my point...Fellaini was generally on the ball less than most players, gave it away a lot, and wasn't making interceptions or tackles. So, where is this fight? Phrases like "grit" and "determination" feel like buzzwords, because I'm not seeing them at all. I don't see any more determination in him than I do in players like Carrick or Schweinsteiger.

As I said before, passion/fight/call it what you want isnt really something that anyone can statistically measure. Passion is in the eye of the beholder, so to speak. What I do think is beyond doubt is that Fellaini has proven himself to have a certain mental fortitude, if based upon nothing other than his form last season after a) nearly being sold and b) being boo'd in pre-season by our own fans. He has always been someone who will keep their chin up when the chips are down - you could even argue that his current situation with supporters cheering him being substituted etc is further evidence that he doesnt simply curl up into a shell when the going gets tough.

I know this post will be met with a response of "but is that enough to merit a place in the United starting XI?" and the answer is obviously no, but I feel that you need to have at least some players in the team who dont back down from a fight, especially in some of the more heated games in the PL. Additionally there is the simple difference in opinion on Fellaini's technical abilities, which I think are constantly underrated on here (which isnt to say that he is some sort of midfield maestro, but simply that he isnt anything like as bad as people make out).

Problem is, it's not ice hockey Utd play. We don't need an 'enforcer' that can only elbow. We need someone with grit, but can also play football.
He's not hard, he's cynical. Never goes in hard for 50/50 tackles, would rather elbow someone on the sly.

He's far from the only problem Utd have, but he's a stand out symbol of how bad we've become. If anyone thinks he's good enough for Utd, just ask yourself if he would make it into any elite European team? As for this 'do a job' ideology about him... That doesn't wash, this is Man Utd. Being tall shouldn't be a qualification for playing for Utd, but that Dutch fool with the notepad seems to think so.

Really hope both their tenures at Utd are coming to an end.

The notion that all Fellaini does is wander around the pitch elbowing people is not one that I agree with, but I doubt anything I say will change your mind about that so I wont bother.

 

[dichinero]

Even I as one of Fellaini's most outspoken supporters on here dont thing he should be first choice for United in an ideal world. I have written extensively on the topic that we should have signed at least one other midfielder in the summer that we got Fellaini (and that this is part of the reason why the supporters inherently dislike him).

As things stand in the here and now and with the players that we have though, he is pretty much the only one of our midfielders who can provide the qualities you mentioned for the team. Furthermore, the fact that we have Blind at CB who is by no means physically imposing, I think that LVG feels that he needs Fellaini in the team to counterbalance that (and I dont disagree with him on that tbf) - the set piece goals we have conceded when Fellaini hasn't been on the pitch likely only reinforce LVGs stance in that regard.

This is my contention as with many other fans. You say he can but he doesn't at all. 3 years at United and I don't a Fellaini that has this so called attributes. The guy is big and limp. For a player that has 8 years PL experience at 28 years old, the guy is a sham. Have we not conceeded goals when he as been on the pitch. This is the same that hardly wins headers. That is just a myth friend.

 

[Walrus]

This is my contention as with many other fans. You say he can but he doesn't at all. 3 years at United and I don't a Fellaini that has this so called attributes. The guy is big and limp. For a player that has 8 years PL experience at 28 years old, the guy is a sham. Have we not conceeded goals when he as been on the pitch. This is the same that hardly wins headers. That is just a myth friend.

Well then we appear to have reached an impasse.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

He offers a different way to get the ball up the pitch and he is good at it. We are not good at playing out of the back so having the option of passing Fellaini high up the pitch Means we can move the ball out faster.
Also his presence alone give us something which none of Herrera/Carrick/Schneiderlin provides. He is a good player to have in your squad imo, but it seems he will always be Associated with our decline as long as he stays here.

 

[dichinero]

Well then we appear to have reached an impasse.

Sadly, I'm sure there are other things that we may agree upon

 

[Giant Midget]

Still don't look at him as a United player and never will.

Consider our central midfielders for the last 20 years and then look at this guy. Djemba-Djemba was fecking Roy Keane compared to this guy.

Awful, awful player.

 

[iKeano]

The notion that all Fellaini does is wander around the pitch elbowing people is not one that I agree with, but I doubt anything I say will change your mind about that so I wont bother.

Eh... Ok then.

This is my contention as with many other fans. You say he can but he doesn't at all. 3 years at United and I don't a Fellaini that has this so called attributes. The guy is big and limp. For a player that has 8 years PL experience at 28 years old, the guy is a sham. Have we not conceeded goals when he as been on the pitch. This is the same that hardly wins headers. That is just a myth friend.

Wins 48% of aerial duels. Currently ranked 42nd in the list of premier footballers winning headers. Staggering.

 

[Perrick Dubois]

As I said before, passion/fight/call it what you want isnt really something that anyone can statistically measure. Passion is in the eye of the beholder, so to speak. What I do think is beyond doubt is that Fellaini has proven himself to have a certain mental fortitude, if based upon nothing other than his form last season after a) nearly being sold and b) being boo'd in pre-season by our own fans. He has always been someone who will keep their chin up when the chips are down - you could even argue that his current situation with supporters cheering him being substituted etc is further evidence that he doesnt simply curl up into a shell when the going gets tough.

You are right, it is intangible and it will be a subjective view for each fan of United. There will be many who just think he is a clown and will never see it. I still think the fact that despite being booed and jeered by his own fans and then on numerous occasions afterwards giving a solid shift for nothing more than the shirt is something to be commended. Even if he is a bit of a crap footballer and struggling to show his worth to the team. He has looked at times this season like he is the only one that gives a shit about what is happening and isn't in 'im rich biach' cruise control mode.

This is my contention as with many other fans. You say he can but he doesn't at all. 3 years at United and I don't a Fellaini that has this so called attributes. The guy is big and limp. For a player that has 8 years PL experience at 28 years old, the guy is a sham. Have we not conceeded goals when he as been on the pitch. This is the same that hardly wins headers. That is just a myth friend.

Honestly, you're just waffling a bunch of words here. None of this even makes a lick of sense. Definitive "he can't provide anything cause' he is shite" proclamations when he's had good games for us before, "I don't a Fellaini that has this so called attributes" you aren't even stringing proper sentences together. "A sham" and "big and limp" honestly if you're going to debate something at least speak a bit of substance on the matter.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

The good thing with him is he could be very useful in the right set up so could potentially fetch £15m+.

I guess the most relevant question maybe will Mourinho see a use for him?

 

[dichinero]

You are right, it is intangible and it will be a subjective view for each fan of United. There will be many who just think he is a clown and will never see it. I still think the fact that despite being booed and jeered by his own fans and then on numerous occasions afterwards giving a solid shift for nothing more than the shirt is something to be commended. Even if he is a bit of a crap footballer and struggling to show his worth to the team. He has looked at times this season like he is the only one that gives a shit about what is happening and isn't in 'im rich biach' cruise control mode.


Honestly, you're just waffling a bunch of words here. None of this even makes a lick of sense. Definitive "he can't provide anything cause' he is shite" proclamations when he's had good games for us before, "I don't a Fellaini that has this so called attributes" you aren't even stringing proper sentences together. "A sham" and "big and limp" honestly if you're going to debate something at least speak a bit of substance on the matter.

What do you want? A gold star on your English report?

 

[Perrick Dubois]

The good thing with him is he could be very useful in the right set up so could potentially fetch £15m+.

I guess the most relevant question maybe will Mourinho see a use for him?

We've got three very much box to box midfielders in their own right and a manager who prefers positional discipline and ball recycling over movement. I personally think that his position in the squad is untenable now that the fans have piped up and I think it would be best for all parties if he move on. But if he stays since he's under contract I could see another manager getting something out of him providing we set up to allow box to box midfielders to operate either in a three with a defensive midfielder at the base or as a hybrid #10/#8.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

We've got three very much box to box midfielders in their own right and a manager who prefers positional discipline and ball recycling over movement. I personally think that his position in the squad is untenable now that the fans have piped up and I think it would be best for all parties if he move on. But if he stays since he's under contract I could see another manager getting something out of him providing we set up to allow box to box midfielders to operate either in a three with a defensive midfielder at the base or as a hybrid #10/#8.

He did have his best run of form for us in the diamond I think you are describing, last season when we beat spurs/liverpool/city. He seemed to get found out pretty quickly though.

His best position is definitely number 10 but it encourages a brand of football we shouldn't really be aspiring to.

 

[GledTheRed]

Retire you cnut!