Given that he's our only player that can bring in something that already isn't on the pitch, he's of help which has been proved last season (we wouldn't be in top 4 if it wasn't for, i.a., him). He's worked a lot better in that 4141 stuff though rather than in today's 4231 of ours but he's not the only player that worked better in the ol' system.
Fellaini the Impact Sub: Help or Hindrance?
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Exactly this, the guy would flourish in the right system and looking back, were never going to be that for him.
We should still be playing a 4-3-3 with Fellaini and Herrera ahead of one defensive mid like we were for parts of last season. Much stronger system IMO.
Exactly this. As I said in my previous post we should be playing a 4-3-3 with Fallaini and Herrera ahead of 1 DM. That is both Fellaini and Herrera's strongest positions. It makes us better in attack and just as strong defensively.
In the last few weeks, whenever he comes on, we don't seem to go direct and put him in the box; nor do we play him like we did last season as an attack-minded #8. When he comes on now, he sort of continues with Schweinsteigers role in that sitting midfield two, but with a little bit more hold up play. He's a sub, but he's not really an impact sub, though he does play well when he comes on IMO.
Earlier in the season and last season, he often came off the bench to a barrage of speculative long balls which was pretty ugly to watch, and didn't always have a great effect. When he started games last season, he played an almost Yaya Toure-like role complimenting the attack. It's like LvG sees him as 3 different players, depending on the game, and whether or not he's coming off the bench, but we've not really seen a glimpse of Fellaini's best form from last season. Most probably because we play a different variant of 4-3-3 which doesn't really suit him. It doesn't really suit anyone. The squad looks tailor-made for last season's backwards-pointing 4-3-3, but I don't think a single player is benefiting from the forwards pointing 4-3-3/4-2-3-1
Earlier in the season and last season, he often came off the bench to a barrage of speculative long balls which was pretty ugly to watch, and didn't always have a great effect. When he started games last season, he played an almost Yaya Toure-like role complimenting the attack. It's like LvG sees him as 3 different players, depending on the game, and whether or not he's coming off the bench, but we've not really seen a glimpse of Fellaini's best form from last season. Most probably because we play a different variant of 4-3-3 which doesn't really suit him. It doesn't really suit anyone. The squad looks tailor-made for last season's backwards-pointing 4-3-3, but I don't think a single player is benefiting from the forwards pointing 4-3-3/4-2-3-1
He’s okay. Not the worst option to have, and he’s sometimes quite effective, but since we’ve bolstered our midfield I don’t we’ve really had too much use for him, and we tend to just shove him in if we’re out of ideas, or need someone to come in to freshen things up a bit. I’d be surprised if he’s here next season.
Agree with a lot of what you said my man. I though, an unfortunately one of the few who doesn't think he's the level we should be striving for to get back to the top. Which might be unfair, but it's not based on his style or anything, but more die to believing he's a good to very good player, but he'll never be great.
uHe isn't really either an asset or a hindrance at the moment, he has become a bit of a nothing player, runs around a bit aimlessly, wins a few headers, chests it down few times and passes every ball no more than a out metres. He isn't really direct competition or. Direct replacement for anyone and the tactics and style don't suit him.
We are using him as a plan b but don't seem to play to his strengths and we don't cross the ball much or with any quality and seeing as that is how he pretty much gets all his goals it's all a it pointless and hard to see him being here next year.
He isn't a bad player but he is very limited, on his day and against the right opponent he can be unplayable but that doesn't happen very often and we have seen that since he joined.
We are using him as a plan b but don't seem to play to his strengths and we don't cross the ball much or with any quality and seeing as that is how he pretty much gets all his goals it's all a it pointless and hard to see him being here next year.
He isn't a bad player but he is very limited, on his day and against the right opponent he can be unplayable but that doesn't happen very often and we have seen that since he joined.
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he is an obvious help. I love that we have him
Hindrance. He doesn't do anything when he comes on and I think his time is up here in the summer
'conference style' that mourinho won the champions league with with Inter.
Also the style that had us beat city, liverpool and spurs in our best run last season.
Also the style that had us beat city, liverpool and spurs in our best run last season.
The way we use Fellaini now as a sub is completely different to how we used him last season.
I like him. He was a starter during that fine run of form we had in the spring, a run in which we hardly playing 'hoofball.' I wasn't happy about him coming on for Martial, but that's more due to the fact that I think Martial should have stayed. However, the end result justified LVG's decision, so it's hard to criticize. In the end, I think Fellaini is a great player to have in the squad, one who, in my opinion, offers a lot more than being a target for endless long balls.
Impact player for me. Doesn't always get the job done, but he's a pretty decent plan B and it has proven to work for us on a few occasions.
Games he has come on in = 9
We have scored after he came on = 3
Conceded after he came on = 0
Neither conceded nor scored = 6
We have scored after he came on = 3
Conceded after he came on = 0
Neither conceded nor scored = 6
Should have spent the 30m on Barkley. and you know for a fact if fergie had that last transfer window, he probably would have done.
Very well put. He clearly has his uses. So far I'm not really sure one of those is as an impact sub.
I am happy enough for Fellaini coming on as, given our lack of cutting edge and creativity, his presence and height causes at least some uneasiness in opposition defences
It's a last resort option you rarely see at a top club and especially a club like Barca or Madrid
It's a last resort option you rarely see at a top club and especially a club like Barca or Madrid
At the moment he's doing nothing great really. No denying he was an excellent impact sub last season though.
Want to see him drifting leftwards when he comes on, linking with Ashley or whoever and knocking down balls from just outside the box, rather than being the target in it.
Want to see him drifting leftwards when he comes on, linking with Ashley or whoever and knocking down balls from just outside the box, rather than being the target in it.
Don't think he's ever been a 'hindrance' when he has come on. He is the same as most subs though, sometimes he helps and sometimes he doesn't.
Fellaini is more hindrance than help, but if in the first 70 minutes what we're trying to do isn't working there's nothing a whole lot wrong with bringing on a player who brings something different to our attack.
He's on the squad and there's nothing anybody can do about it, but if he were available in the transfer would any one of us -- just one! -- spend 10m to pick him up? I seriously doubt it.
I'd much rather use Fellaini as an impact sub when we're up 2-0 late than when we're chasing a goal late in the game. We need to get to the point where we're closing things down with 20 minutes instead of scrambling for the late equalizer and match-winner.
He's on the squad and there's nothing anybody can do about it, but if he were available in the transfer would any one of us -- just one! -- spend 10m to pick him up? I seriously doubt it.
I'd much rather use Fellaini as an impact sub when we're up 2-0 late than when we're chasing a goal late in the game. We need to get to the point where we're closing things down with 20 minutes instead of scrambling for the late equalizer and match-winner.
Agreed on all counts. This idea that we've played hoofball as soon as he's come on over the past few weeks just shows that people see what they want to see.
I'm happy with him coming on. I think he's earned our support.
However, how he's being played this season doesn't get the best out of him in my opinion. As others have said he looked much better with the midfield triangle pointing the other direction. A big problem for me, and one that's not his fault, is that often when he comes on the players just think 'oh I'll hit it to Fellaini' as their first option: I thought he looked best last year as one of a few options-when over used, we become one dimensional. That might often have to do with our paucity of attacking options, but even still...
He also adds an important defensive contribution when he plays.
However, how he's being played this season doesn't get the best out of him in my opinion. As others have said he looked much better with the midfield triangle pointing the other direction. A big problem for me, and one that's not his fault, is that often when he comes on the players just think 'oh I'll hit it to Fellaini' as their first option: I thought he looked best last year as one of a few options-when over used, we become one dimensional. That might often have to do with our paucity of attacking options, but even still...
He also adds an important defensive contribution when he plays.
I don't mind fellaini to be honest - I think he's an ok player to come on and switch things up
But what I find totally baffling is how it completely goes against the philosophy that has been narrated on here and by Van Gaal. I thought the point of total possession control with the aim of boring the opposition (and fans) to death was that come the 75th/80th/85th minute that would be the time when the opposition would supposedly be at their weakest and most vulnerable after chasing the ball for the majority of the match. If we are consistently switching to hoof ball in the 70th minute doesn't that undermine everything we have been led to believe?
But what I find totally baffling is how it completely goes against the philosophy that has been narrated on here and by Van Gaal. I thought the point of total possession control with the aim of boring the opposition (and fans) to death was that come the 75th/80th/85th minute that would be the time when the opposition would supposedly be at their weakest and most vulnerable after chasing the ball for the majority of the match. If we are consistently switching to hoof ball in the 70th minute doesn't that undermine everything we have been led to believe?
I wouldn't mind if he just came on for 15 minutes and stayed right up alongside martial or Rooney but he just slows it all up when he sits deep and gets too involved. Stick him on and go route one is fine but play to his strength or he's a liability.
Agree completely.
People are incredibly unfair when it comes to Fellaini. He's one of the few players we have with some grit and desire to take it to the opposition. His passes usually have purpose and his hold up play once he settled down into the club has been excellent.
He's definitely not just a hoofball footballer and I think he should be starting more games.
Last year we played some decent stuff with him in the side and for no particular reason he seems to have been discarded into just a sub this year. This squad does need further upheaval but I'd keep someone like him, he's more versatile than people think.
He's definitely not just a hoofball footballer and I think he should be starting more games.
Last year we played some decent stuff with him in the side and for no particular reason he seems to have been discarded into just a sub this year. This squad does need further upheaval but I'd keep someone like him, he's more versatile than people think.
Interesting that you hold this view. IMO he actually moves the ball a lot quicker than Carrick and Schweinsteiger a lot of the time.
This. He wrecked havoc down the left hand side with Young when he occupied that space between the fullback and CB. Hes not a striker and has never been one. Using him as a target man is just nonsensical
He really is not an United player. Get rid, he will play every game at a lesser club so both him and United would benefit from it
He's never been our worst performer when he has played and has been very effective at times. However I have to be honest I can't enjoy watching us play when he is in the side. Nothing to do with his ability it's just his style isn't great to watch imo.
Fed up of seeing him being brought on when we're chasing a game also. Not only do we become predictable in our attacks, he seems to always help the opposition by giving away stupid fouls/caught offside and slows the game down when we need the opposite.
Fed up of seeing him being brought on when we're chasing a game also. Not only do we become predictable in our attacks, he seems to always help the opposition by giving away stupid fouls/caught offside and slows the game down when we need the opposite.
Agree completely. I don't mind United as a plan B going long to a target man. My issue with Fellaini is that he isn't very good at it.
where is he today? not even on the bench so thats the standard Plan B out of the window after WBA park the bus!
Injured
Help. Not only is he a threat going forward, but he helps out a lot in defending set pieces too.
Agreed. He would have been a big help today mixing things up in their penalty area.
Woeful.
Nothing substitution.
And we were great before he came on 
Should never play for us again. Comes on, loses every header and gives away fecking foul after fecking foul. Embarrassing that he's still at the club