[Sammyjunn]

Just played a good long ball forwards, we lose it, he closes the counter down. I think he's doing exactly what Jose asks from him and why he continues playing him. Sure Herrera and co are far more gifted on the ball, everyone can see that, but Im quite amazed by the criticism of him.

 

[Sammyjunn]

What he does simply isn't enough for a top club let alone United, it just isn't. Where has the ambition gone? You are compared that to a typical performance from a fit Schweinstiger?

As if we're some top club, we dont have much better. I'd wish we'd have Pjanic, Strootman, Thiago etc as well, dont get me wrong. But for now, Mourinho probably thinks he's the best option for that role and I can understand why. If you use that argument, you can bin every one of our players bar DDG, Smalling, Pogba, Zlatan the other ones wouldnt get a look in at the European topclubs.

 

[the hea]

Just played a good long ball forwards, we lose it, he closes the counter down. I think he's doing exactly what Jose asks from him and why he continues playing him. Sure Herrera and co are far more gifted on the ball, everyone can see that, but Im quite amazed by the criticism of him.

Exactly. Criticizing Fellaini is stupid, it's obvious that he is doing exactly what the manager is asking him to do so if there is someone that should be criticized it's the manager for choosing to start Fellaini. Having a go at Fellaini for doing his job is just idiotic

 

[devilish]

He cannot pass the ball well at all, but this is not his fault. He is good at breaking up play and winning defensive headers and that's all you should expect from him. It is not fair to expect him to have the passing of Herrera, Blind or Carrick. A leopard can't change its spots.

You just described a stoke type of midfielder

 

[Cheesy]

You just described a stoke type of midfielder

I don't even think Stoke would be content with a midfielder who "cannot pass the ball well at all". Again, he's been alright this season, but some of the defences of basic deficiencies within his game, and attempted positives of his games which are things you'd expect a basic footballer to fulfill, are bizarre.

 

[Denis79]

Imo his weakest skill is that he is so slow on the ball. Takes forever whatever he decides to do. He doesnt really choose the wrong pass or shoot at the wrong time, hes just takes a bit to long to do it.

 

[3KDré]

You just described a stoke type of midfielder

I probably did, but it isn't his fault is it? I don't exactly want him in the team but he's getting abuse for not doing something he has clearly never been able to do.

 

[sullydnl]

Fellaini is Fellaini. I don't really see the point in criticizing him for being what he is anymore, it's been done to death so many times.

At the same time, I can't imagine that even someone who likes what Fellaini brings to the team could honestly say he's the right partner for Pogba in midfield. They in no way complement each other.

 

[devilish]

I probably did, but it isn't his fault is it? I don't exactly want him in the team but he's getting abuse for doing something he has clearly never been able to do.

If he doesn't learn to pass the ball under pressure then he can't play at this level

 

[devilish]

I don't even think Stoke would be content with a midfielder who "cannot pass the ball well at all". Again, he's been alright this season, but some of the defences of basic deficiencies within his game, and attempted positives of his games which are things you'd expect a basic footballer to fulfill, are bizarre.

We need a top quality dm. Someone whose got better position, more pace and is more comfortable with the ball.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Stops another attack, and from that interception we created a chance.

 

[Giant Midget]

Stops another attack, and from that interception we created a chance.

Fine piece of looking forward by him. Kept the ball in as well. Top class

 

[Sammyjunn]

Fine piece of looking forward by him. Kept the ball in as well. Top class

Yes, he played the ball forwards and we created the chance from that after he stopped a counter. He is no world beater but is just fulfilling his role, wish some could watch past their agenda.

 

[Cheesy]

Shown improvement in the second half I'd say.

 

[bosnian_red]

He is alright defensively in terms of winning the ball back, but he is painfully shit on the ball. Takes about 3 touches every time before passing the ball to someone. Not sure if he'd even be in the championship if it wasn't for his strength and size to be honest

 

[Litch]

Fellaini is Fellaini. I don't really see the point in criticizing him for being what he is anymore, it's been done to death so many times.

At the same time, I can't imagine that even someone who likes what Fellaini brings to the team could honestly say he's the right partner for Pogba in midfield. They in no way complement each other.

Spot on. There are players in this team that are ok but I'm in no doubt that if Jose is still here next season will be upgraded....Fellaini is one of them.

 

[gza the genius]

Fellaini is Fellaini. I don't really see the point in criticizing him for being what he is anymore, it's been done to death so many times.

At the same time, I can't imagine that even someone who likes what Fellaini brings to the team could honestly say he's the right partner for Pogba in midfield. They in no way complement each other.

This. He's a decent to good player but he's also very limited at what he brings to the team. Him and Pogba simply don't work well together.

 

[DWelbz19]

I don't know why Mourinho persists with him beside Pogba. It needs to stop.

 

[AndyJ1985]

Needs to be replaced in the summer for a completely different type of midfielder. By that I mean a midfielder who is actually good at doing things that midfielders are generally expected to be good at.

 

[Ballache]

Why do we keep starting him in matches we're going to dominate? He doesn't pass well, isn't mobile enough for when the other team counters. Doesn't make sense.

 

[Ludens the Red]

A shame, thought he was going to be a different player under Jose but he's got worse with each game.

 

[Zoo]

Please stop picking him Jose.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Awful player, the defensive side of his game isn't good. He is too slow covering ground, he has poor positioning, fouls a lot. Then add how awful he is on the ball.

 

[Scholesy]

Its clear he isn't a holding midfielder. He is a decent elbow smasher but needs to be moved out

 

[LuisNaniencia]

Did slightly better in the second half but he just can't play in that position. He lacks most of the key attributes to play holding midfield, tackling/interceptions/reading the game/controlling tempo. The one useful thing he has is strength but it's not enough.

 

[worldinmotion66]

Think he's far more effective when he has a bit more freedom to be a presence in the opposition's box, but he is pretty decent at winning the ball and maintaining domination. He is too slow on the ball for a top team. That said though, Pogba was awful tonight and really didn't offer much help.

 

[hirotan69er]

Did slightly better in the second half but he just can't play in that position. He lacks most of the key attributes to play holding midfield, tackling/interceptions/reading the game/controlling tempo. The one useful thing he has is strength but it's not enough.

But he did read opponent's passes and intercepted a few.

 

[kundalini]

Painful to watch Fellaini, Bailly and Smalling fail to start moves, passing the ball between themselves, getting nowhere.

 

[Santos J]

Just no point in playing a player who isn't good on the ball in a game where it's pretty obvious we're going to have a large majority of the ball.

 

[Van Piorsing]

He lacks intuition, therefore delayed decision making but he had his strong moments of physical control in midfield and that was needed today.

 

[NinjaZombie]

I'm genuinely surprised at how he's taking a beating here. I thought he was pretty good. Won a few tackles, generally did his job quite well. He's not going to be a Pirlo with his passing but he did okay enough with his distribution.

I still think he's not good enough for the level we should be aspiring to though. I mean, if your passing looks average against a poor Zorya side, what use are you for when we come up against Bayern and Real?

 

[K2K]

A fan of Fellaini but it's painfully obvious that he isn't a creative outlet that we need from that position with a very limited passing range.

The highlight from Saturday was the amount of risky forward passes we created from our own half creating good runs for our wingers .Fellaini can't offer us that.

 

[theyneverlearn]

I don't think it's a coincidence that when paired with Fellaini, Pogba looks half the player he did at the weekend.

When you have someone next to you like Fellaini it makes you change your game, he was dropping so deep to try to get the tempo moving. The transition from defender to attackers was so slow when fed through Fellaini. He tends to take 2-3 touches too many, which kills any chance of a counter.

He should only be used from the bench to add some height at set pieces towards the end of a game.

 

[Yorkeontop]

Like the guy but not in that position.

 

[Bobcat]

He does fine as a destroyer, but his distribution is simply awful.

Also, how the hell can a man this tall be so shit on offensive headers.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

somebody said it few weeks ago, midfield version of Rojo/Jones.

 

[gza the genius]

I'm genuinely surprised at how he's taking a beating here. I thought he was pretty good. Won a few tackles, generally did his job quite well. He's not going to be a Pirlo with his passing but he did okay enough with his distribution.

I still think he's not good enough for the level we should be aspiring to though. I mean, if your passing looks average against a poor Zorya side, what use are you for when we come up against Bayern and Real?

Your last paragraph covers the main problem, he can and does play well but him playing well still doesn't give us what we need. He was fine today yet we lacked in the middle because he offers nothing going forward.

 

[AndyJ1985]

Like the guy but not in that position.

That's the problem; his best position has always been attacking midfielder or even a forward. Hoofing it up to him has and always will be the best way to use him, and that's why I've never wanted him in the team. He doesn't suit us and he never will. Replacing him in midfield with a player like Koke or Gundogan or Kroos or Verratti or Modric would be like replacing a '98 Ford Escort with an Aston Martin Vanquish.

 

[Kostur]

Yea, he wasn't bad or something but I don't think it was the game for him, probably could've and should've played Carrick tonight for the passing solely.

 

[The United]

You just described a stoke type of midfielder

Wouldn't be his fault though as the manager decided to play him there to do that job.

I doubt jose was expecting him pinging the ball from the deep like carrick.

So what's the game plan there? You gotta ask the manager. The elbow man did his job decent enough with what he is decent at.