27
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 23
- Goals
- 5
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 1
- Status
They’re even in terms of quality. Ibra has 28 goals last season and there’s no way Jesus and Sane are better than Lukaku.
Aguero gets injured a lot. Jesus and Sane as a pair are better than Martial and Lukaku.
Ibra was also injured.
As for the last part, That’s debatable. I’d rather have Lukaku and Martial.
That wasn't the case last season though. Mourinho started with Fellaini as the defensive midfielder quickly realized he's not good enough there and played Herrera there instead. Herrera excelled in the role and started 44 games last year with Fellaini only starting around 27-28.
We didn't beat West Brom in Van Gaal's first season. I think we drew away and were beat at home.
Super sub Fellaini...the second best thing to Soljkaer.
The state of those comparisons with city attacking players...this place has gone full rawk
Whoscored is saying that he's joining Besiktas for 8m in January?
It does seem like there's a lot of talk about him leaving, I think he will. He isn't good enough to warrant giving him a bumper new contract, but he is used an awful lot and does contribute so if he's leaving, Jose must have someone ear-marked for January to take his place in the squad, surely?
Fellaini is the Mcgrath of this generation. He might be effective at times but he represents a culture (Mcgrath was the drinking culture, Fellaini the hoof the ball to the big guy culture) that needs to be eradicated from our system. Mcgrath was 10 times the player Fellaini is
Can't believe I'm saying this but I think I'll be sad if he leaves permanently. He has been a good servant for the club and gave his 100% even with the slaughtering he was getting continuously from some of our fans. He can leave with his head up imo.
Yep, I actually like that he brings to the table now if used sparingly. Nevertheless, I feel too often our managers use him as be all end all solution to our problems that prevent in the first place themselves of building something more cohesive as they have that lucrative option going for route one football with him in the ranks. Especially, when the pressure mounts and they become less patient.
I am not a big fan of his tbh but I do acknowledge that he can be an asset if used correctly. He's a big man with decent chest control, workrate, physicality and a certain scoundrel like attitude which can prove good to have around. Unfortunately he lack pace in a deep role (2 men CM) and our players can't resist from hoofing the ball at him whenever we play him as no 10.
Totally agree.
There's enough noise around this now to make me think there's truth in it - surely Perreira now being recalled if so?
It's looking likely he will leave in January. His contract was supposed to expire in the summer but we took the option which was in his contract to extend it for another year but since then he hasn't signed a new deal and we're nearly a month away from January. Ozil to replace him maybe.
He has, i think, refused the latest contract offer from United. How much does the greedy fecker wants lol?
On a serious note, i think, i agree with the poster above in the sense that he's a bit of a bad habit the successive managers have contracted. Ironically, both LvG and Mourinho have found better utilization of his attributes than the moron who signed him. The kind of player he is you can only use him in one particular way which is as a target man and i do not like last ten minutes being about hoofing the ball to this guy. With due respect to the guy, nobody should be 'sad' if we cut the chord. I think our football would evolve for the better after that and we will devise better ways and attacking patterns to steal goals like we used to under the great man Fergie.
On a serious note, i think, i agree with the poster above in the sense that he's a bit of a bad habit the successive managers have contracted. Ironically, both LvG and Mourinho have found better utilization of his attributes than the moron who signed him. The kind of player he is you can only use him in one particular way which is as a target man and i do not like last ten minutes being about hoofing the ball to this guy. With due respect to the guy, nobody should be 'sad' if we cut the chord. I think our football would evolve for the better after that and we will devise better ways and attacking patterns to steal goals like we used to under the great man Fergie.
Happy to see him go in terms of his ability. However respect to the man as he always gave 100 per cent
Yep, certainly grew on me. Top notch professional. I am sure he will talk about it too once he leaves.
But looking at things, he's getting on and not world class, so this is our opportunity to cash in. I don't want him to leave in Jan without us getting a replacement though. Not hip on the terminologies like "ball-winner", "playmaker", "trequartista-thingy" etc., but to keep it simple, I just want some guy in midfield who can score and assist without passing the ball sideways and backwards.
Don't care if he leaves as long as we buy another CM.
8million ?
Surely we can get moyes to spunk 20 million at least in January?
Surely we can get moyes to spunk 20 million at least in January?
Let the clearout begin.....boy do we need it!
Will be sorry to see him go as he's always given 100% and has put in some good, matching changing performances. He's not great but he has his uses. But, if he's daft enough not to sign on for us and go to some 3rd rate European team then agree he should be sold, get some money back on him
This is why we have been underperforming the last few years. Why should a club like United be happy to be peppered with a bunch of players who are "not great but have their uses"?
Cos certain games or moments in games require different types of players. Your not going to play him in a tikka takka style game but if we need to go route one or defend a load of route ones or particularly physical games then he's great. He's a squad player. The whole point of a squad. He's got some good qualities, we don't have many like him
The idea that Fellaini is only useful through lumping the ball forward in a desperate final attempt to score does him a disservice. While his position is definitely as an advanced player and he can cause bother in the air in the final third, he has more to his game which allow us to play more attractive and effective football than that.
Fellaini is very good at receiving the ball with his back to goal, proficiently making it stick even when under pressure and taking the ball in at awkward heights. He is more intelligent in advanced midfield or forward positions than given credit for which, married with his industry off the ball, often leads to him unsettling opposition defensive lines - dragging midfielders too deep or drawing defenders out too high. There is something unfussy about his hold up play too, almost never holding onto the ball too long - he kills it and moves it on. Fellaini knows exactly what he’s capable of and plays to his strengths in the final third.
Using him in this way, he provides an effective way of progressing the play. It is always good to have that forward passing option - someone who can stretch the play and take the ball in under pressure, giving the team a target to pass and move off of and a way to bypass aggressive pressing.
We should never just play long balls into him from deep, instead look to use his abilities in build-up play and work the ball into good positions around the opposition box. If we do that then his strength, height and general awkwardness in the air becomes more pronounced. Rather than looking to flick on the ball from deep, relatively straight long passes with his back to goal, often around the edge of the box, there will be more opportunities to come onto crosses in the box and head at goal or knock down into more dangerous areas.
The period of time where we have most ably exploited all of Fellaini’s abilities was during the small flurry of good performances under Van Gaal, where he played in a high inside left position in midfield and constantly created a triangle with Young and Blind down that side. They constantly used him as a link man to work the ball forward and move into attacking positions and, coupled with Herrera, Mata and Valencia linking in their own way down the right, for a small period of time(perhaps the only time under the Dutchman) we had a good balance to our side and played effective football.
With Mkhitaryan struggling and Mata being similarly poor out wide and having seemingly no opportunity to play centrally, I would have no issues with Fellaini taking that no.10 spot as a starter as things stand. For me, that would be the right way to go at the moment.
The question, in my mind, is around Zlatan’s return. The qualities I’ve described Fellaini as having are pretty much all possessed by the Swede. Not quite as much of a nuisance at the back post and not always as keen to release the ball quickly or bust a gut to get in the box. A supreme technician and a genius though - far sharper, much more precise and imaginative with the ball, and with a natural goalscorer’s instinct. He is, quite simply and still at the age of 35, a much better player - a top player who provides a little bit of the stardust we’ve been missing. While I would want him in the side in that position, I’m not convinced he would defend with the required diligence. Lots of question marks. Will he be fit? Will he be the same player we had last year? Could he play slightly deeper, consistently?
How long will Ibra stay for? If he won’t be here next season then I think it would be prudent not to lose a player of Fellaini’s qualities. While I, like basically everyone, would prefer to see a more technical and creative player as a first team regular there - better to have someone with a creative spark, especially since Lukaku does not - as an alternative I think he is great. You will never have a squad with a like for like replacement for every starter, it is simply not possible. A backup should offer something different and Fellaini is a fairly unique player for that position, who will ask new questions of any opposition when called upon. Money is not as valuable to United as having that option off the bench or in certain games.
Fellaini is very good at receiving the ball with his back to goal, proficiently making it stick even when under pressure and taking the ball in at awkward heights. He is more intelligent in advanced midfield or forward positions than given credit for which, married with his industry off the ball, often leads to him unsettling opposition defensive lines - dragging midfielders too deep or drawing defenders out too high. There is something unfussy about his hold up play too, almost never holding onto the ball too long - he kills it and moves it on. Fellaini knows exactly what he’s capable of and plays to his strengths in the final third.
Using him in this way, he provides an effective way of progressing the play. It is always good to have that forward passing option - someone who can stretch the play and take the ball in under pressure, giving the team a target to pass and move off of and a way to bypass aggressive pressing.
We should never just play long balls into him from deep, instead look to use his abilities in build-up play and work the ball into good positions around the opposition box. If we do that then his strength, height and general awkwardness in the air becomes more pronounced. Rather than looking to flick on the ball from deep, relatively straight long passes with his back to goal, often around the edge of the box, there will be more opportunities to come onto crosses in the box and head at goal or knock down into more dangerous areas.
The period of time where we have most ably exploited all of Fellaini’s abilities was during the small flurry of good performances under Van Gaal, where he played in a high inside left position in midfield and constantly created a triangle with Young and Blind down that side. They constantly used him as a link man to work the ball forward and move into attacking positions and, coupled with Herrera, Mata and Valencia linking in their own way down the right, for a small period of time(perhaps the only time under the Dutchman) we had a good balance to our side and played effective football.
With Mkhitaryan struggling and Mata being similarly poor out wide and having seemingly no opportunity to play centrally, I would have no issues with Fellaini taking that no.10 spot as a starter as things stand. For me, that would be the right way to go at the moment.
The question, in my mind, is around Zlatan’s return. The qualities I’ve described Fellaini as having are pretty much all possessed by the Swede. Not quite as much of a nuisance at the back post and not always as keen to release the ball quickly or bust a gut to get in the box. A supreme technician and a genius though - far sharper, much more precise and imaginative with the ball, and with a natural goalscorer’s instinct. He is, quite simply and still at the age of 35, a much better player - a top player who provides a little bit of the stardust we’ve been missing. While I would want him in the side in that position, I’m not convinced he would defend with the required diligence. Lots of question marks. Will he be fit? Will he be the same player we had last year? Could he play slightly deeper, consistently?
How long will Ibra stay for? If he won’t be here next season then I think it would be prudent not to lose a player of Fellaini’s qualities. While I, like basically everyone, would prefer to see a more technical and creative player as a first team regular there - better to have someone with a creative spark, especially since Lukaku does not - as an alternative I think he is great. You will never have a squad with a like for like replacement for every starter, it is simply not possible. A backup should offer something different and Fellaini is a fairly unique player for that position, who will ask new questions of any opposition when called upon. Money is not as valuable to United as having that option off the bench or in certain games.
Whatever strengths people try to claw up for Fellaini, there's someone a lot better at it out there. Apart from elbowing.
fwiw I fully agree he had one good game under LVG where he played 'high inside left', as you say @sherrinford.
But I'd much rather just get rid and get some quality in Jan if we can. With Pogba and Ibra back as well, we could get something good out of this season and go into next summer looking towards a more complete side for next season. It's not unrealistic to get the key positions people are talking about in two windows.
fwiw I fully agree he had one good game under LVG where he played 'high inside left', as you say @sherrinford.
But I'd much rather just get rid and get some quality in Jan if we can. With Pogba and Ibra back as well, we could get something good out of this season and go into next summer looking towards a more complete side for next season. It's not unrealistic to get the key positions people are talking about in two windows.
It’s a positive step if he leaves and same can be said about a number of players who have been here for multiple seasons and have proven they aren’t good enough.
He isn’t a bad player but he isn’t a good one either and through no fault of his own too often we resort to long ball football when he is on the pitch.
It’s a lazy and rarely effective tactic and we have to be better than that.
He isn’t a bad player but he isn’t a good one either and through no fault of his own too often we resort to long ball football when he is on the pitch.
It’s a lazy and rarely effective tactic and we have to be better than that.
This is just not true, not even close. Sane together with de Bruyne are two of the hottest players on the earth this season, Lukaku just isn’t. Scoring a few good goals against also rans won’t change that... Ibra is 36 years old and returning from an injury, no point in including him here either. In terms of attacking, City are lightyears ahead of United and pretty much every other team in Europe. Both because of manager and style, but also because of individual players.
Pogba and Martial could easily be part of that team of course, but they wouldn’t necessarily need them like we would have taken de Bruyne, Sane, Silva and Aguero. Luckily, two of those are getting older... come to think about it, I really miss a Silva-player at United. Someone to link up with the others whilst freeing Pogba and feeding more attacking play. Who could that be?
Didn't know that a mere 'boos' here and there could slaughter a player.
Think there was more to it than just boos with Fellaini. Regardless of the level of his performances, he was never really given any credit, mainly for not being a 'United' player. Think the fact that he was bought under Moyes was part of it too.
I don't know what kind of credit fans suppose to give him, that would effect his performance, though. Credit in the Caf? Applauding him on the field? he got that plenty of times.
What matter most to him is the credit from his manager. That's if his manager think he's valuable enough to be kept around.
I think he is something different to what’s out there, and as such is a good player to have in the squad. There are better players we could get, and we should look to bring in a high calibre player to start consistently ‘in the hole’ going forward in the near future, but I don’t see potential signings with his particular combination of qualities. That is the appeal in keeping him for me.
The only player with a similar blend of traits I’m aware of (by no means an extensive knowledge base) is Zlatan, ironically. If there was a realistic expectation that Ibra would be serving the club for a reasonable amount of time then Fellaini would be redundant, but that is not the case.
Whoever establishes themselves in that position as first choice will almost certainly be a very different kind of player to Fellaini. To have two or three players with the same characteristics for this, or any, position is not ideal - rather than having a distinct skillset to call upon from the bench you would have more of the same, though most probably of a lesser quality since they would have been playing second fiddle to the starter.
So why get rid? He is not stopping us from buying in and playing a technical, creative footballer there. If we do get said footballer then it is Mata and Mkhitaryan who would be in danger of becoming superfluous alternatives. Fellaini should be kept around if we are looking towards a more complete side next season.
- Rejected by Fellaini. We're right mess at the moment. Mourinho will be off soon.we might consider replacing him with a lamp post
Its' all good. Let us make use of him for this season, we can easily replace him in the summer.
If he's off to Turkey, then he truly is nuts because he is getting sufficient playing time here and Jose is using him in the right manner. But whatever, he is not irreplaceable.
- Status