marjen
Desperately wants to be like Noodle
I think Fellaini has looked terrible at United so far. It's not looking like money well spent obviously. However, players have taken long to settle at United before even with PL experience (Carrick comes to mind). Also if Fellaini has been playing with an injury, then that doesn't help either.
I think the main thing that keeps me with some hope is we are yet to see him play with the mentality and aggression he played with at Everton. I'd like to be optimistic and think this is a short term off-form spell as he settles with the expectation from a massive club. It might not be. But I'm yet to see him play how he did for Everton, and so that gives me hope he can at least raise his game. To what level? I don't know. I'd be happily surprised though if he ever lived up to a 27m price tag. I wish he does though.
This is the saving grace, he doesn't play with that aggression in a United shirt and it might be that it's a lack of full fitness, niggling injuries or just nerves that's to blame. He's looked pedestrian so far and he should at least be able to play with some aggression and drive.
Having said all of that, I can only see him being useful for us as a backup for our first choice holding midfielder, unless we play him as a battering ram. He's not got the qualities needed to lift our midfield, he's a player that's lacking a lot of basic components as a midfielder for a top side even at the best of his form.
My hope is that he turns out a decent squad player who can give the likes of Carrick a rest and fill in whenever we've got injuries.