Quick question, totally serious: what is Fellaini here to provide? Watching him, I don't understand what brief he's here to fulfil...
Marouane Fellaini | 2013/14 Performances
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Fellaini said in his first press conference he wanted to play as a DM. Seems to be how Moyes has tried to deploy him but he seems incapable. If we wanted a DM we should have bought Gustavo as a lot of people said in the summer, he was far cheaper and he'd be more positionally disciplined and effective at breaking up the play than Fellaini.
I wouldn't consider Gustavo a box-to-box midfielder but that is down to definitions. For me he plays the role of a mobile destroyer and distributor.
Also the thesis that a player can only ever play the positions they have previously played is of course very stupid. Müller, Lahm and Guardiola showed that just a few days ago.
Defensive midfield?
He doesn't track runners, and for some reason, he's decided to play like a Buddhist - stepping carefully so as to not harm anyone. Fellaini's a fecking poor player compared to what we should strive for if we're being honest, but at Everton, at least he was a nasty bastard - something our side desperately lacks. If he keeps up with this "play clean" bollocks, he'll be utterly useless to us.
Fellaini is normally good at breaking up the play. His positioning is another matter, but there's no reason to think he won't look gradually better in that regard the more he plays alongside Carrick. He has only featured in a handful of matches so far.
What is a DM? Fellaini will never be the sort of deep sitting midfielder Carrick is. He could, however, work in a partnership with Carrick where both of them sit relatively deep - and where Carrick is the one who remains the "proper" holder, with Fellaini having a slighty freer role.
This won't work if we play exactly like we did for the most part under Fergie, though. Fellaini won't improve us much in that set-up. Nor would Gustavo, for that matter.
Sorry Annahnomoss, I'm still in the middle of compiling my dissertation on the inherent versatility of footballers so until I complete it I can neither prove or disprove your theory.
This one:
People have been talking about a lack of goals from midfield for years, Fellaini is that man. There have been a lot of complaints about him getting into the box at every opportunity but that is clearly something he's been told to do. We cross the ball a lot, he gets goals in the box...sometimes it is that simple.
Think people need to give Fellaini a bit more time than a handful of games (unbelievable) yes he is not Fabregas but then who is at that level and was available? Fellaini will prove a good but as we lacked a player with this skill set (yep costly) but the big fella will do well here.
Howard Kendall echoes my thoughts perfectly
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/fo...prove-Manchester-United-blasts-Howard-Kendall
That’s the verdict of Everton legend Howard Kendall, who watched SDHpmidfielder Fellaini for five years at Goodison.
Former Everton boss David Moyes was determined to be reunited with the Belgium international at Old Trafford.
But Kendall – the most successful manager in Everton’s history, said of the Fellaini deal: “Moyes wanted him and got him but I don’t think he’ll improve Manchester United.
“To start with, where do you play him? David talks about his versatility – he can play in the centre of midfield, off the striker or in a holding role in front of the back four.
“But if you are buying a player, you put him where you want him to play and I haven’t got a clue what his best position is.
“I appreciate the lad. He’s got presence because of his size and he’s dangerous at set-pieces.
“But he floats – he plays it easy. He’s too safe with the ball for me – he doesn’t hurt the opposition with a pass.
“I would put that deal down as a good sale by Everton at that money. And when I look at the players who came in, it was without a doubt a good window for Everton.”
But Scholes, Giggs and Beckham could all play. They all contributed in heaps of other areas, even when the goals dried up. If Fellaini's been purchased to get ten goals, then we've been swindled.
Yes, Fellaini only contributes with goals. That's all he's good for. Point well made.
Sorry if I'm coming across as facetious, but he's not a big contributor in terms of what you'd want a central midfielder to do. His best form for Everton came as the most advanced of a midfield three, or as a second striker. I can't fathom paying what we have if we're looking for him to play such a role. The alternative is that he plays deeper - in which case, we're going to negate the goal threat you talk about - not to mention the fact that he's not a strong holding midfielder. He doesn't have the stamina or work rate to play as a box-to-box player, so it's totally unreasonable to expect him to play deeper and still get goals.
See, I think you're completely wrong about the last point there - I think that's exactly what we've bought him for. It's a role I've seen him play well in for Belgium before too. No doubt it requires him improving his game in some areas to be a United player in that position but then that was clear from day one. That's why I don't understand why people are talking about it being a safe buy. Moyes knew he'd have to develop his game to reach United's level and be worth what he paid, he knew most fans were completely against the idea of buying him and even more so for the money paid...that's not a safe buy. I don't agree at all that he lacks the stamina for it though. That's some myth that's already building up due to his demeanour. He covered 10.4 km against Leverkusen - more than Rooney and roughly the same amount as Evra. I think he does lack the intensity at the moment but that's something that he can develop as far as I'm concerned.
I agree with your final point, and maybe that's what's clouding my perceptions at the moment. Fellaini and Moyes have both alluded to the fact that he needs to get himself up to speed - didn't Fellaini even talk about how everything's a complete step up at United in terms of intensity? (Something that actually quite surprised me a lot given how good Everton are physically). He's going to need to improve vastly in this regard if he's to fulfil the box-to-box role, and it's important he does, because he's going to be a monumental waste if we force him into a purely DM role. Same thing as if we allow him to play in more advanced areas all the time - it's going to be to our detriment in terms of style. I am intrigued to see how Fellaini's United career unfolds - at the moment, I'm hugely sceptical.
Not even in the squad today?
Injured I think
I believe he's injured; at least, it was known that he wasn't travelling.
Ah didn't realise he was injured. Cheers guys.
are there any more details about his injury? I hadnt heard anything about it
Sky just said it's a wrist injury and he could be out for some time.
Sky said it's a wrist injury and it could be long term.
Some posters are probably happy about that.
probably wanking off moyesie thats why he bought him hahahaha
MUTV agree with Sky. How long term can a wrist injury be?!
Will see specialist on Monday buy Moyes says it does not look good
That's not good, it's gonna take him even longer to settle into the side.
Much better with him not in the side. He's a sub offers something different off the bench either offensively or defensively.
How anyone can be in any way pleased that a 27-28m pound player is out for a while I'll never understand.
Probably the same kind of people who were willing us to spend 40m on anyone just to make a big signing.
Am slightly worried at how Carrick and Fellaini will work in a 2 mobility wise, but once the front 4 are actually firing, maybe it will be a bit smoother all round.
Probably the same kind of people who were willing us to spend 40m on anyone just to make a big signing.
Am slightly worried at how Carrick and Fellaini will work in a 2 mobility wise, but once the front 4 are actually firing, maybe it will be a bit smoother all round.
What kind of a wrist injury that could possibly keep him out for weeks? Just put on a cast and get on with it
I was going to make a wanking hand joke but that card has been played. 
This is an odd one, I wonder when it happened, I didn't notice anything against Shaktar and it must be pretty bad to actually keep him out.
This is an odd one, I wonder when it happened, I didn't notice anything against Shaktar and it must be pretty bad to actually keep him out.Doesn't exist
Long term wrist injury 
Was he also banging Moyes's daughter..
Was he also banging Moyes's daughter..I loled when i read that. Seriosuly. I loled.
Fellaini was brought here for rwo reasons: so Moyes can have his trusted player among United players and secondly to provide some cover in the cm area. He is useless at the highest level.
Long term wrist injury
Good manmagmed. After last games ze Afroman needs some time. To find any sortof.form.
I have nothng against him, he is just like Berbatov. Decent player, ut we dont need him, he doesnt fit to this team.
Great, we can't even keep our shit midfielders fit.
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