Fellaini

Fellaini was an effective weapon when used correctly - playing further up the pitch and getting into the box. He caused uncertainty and panic for defenders in those situations because he was good at running onto the ball in the air rather than being a static target for crosses. You don't tend to get many big men running in from deeper - they tend to be the furthest forward!

But he was far too limited to be someone who could get on the ball deep and make things happen, and too clumsy and lacking speed & mobility to be a midfield destroyer for a good team (even though his physicality and graft were occasionally useful in that regard).

comment by Geoff Tipps (U1449)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Imran The King Khan (U10026)
posted 13 seconds ago
Nah Bailly makes some rash challenges, but not Rojo levels of suicide.
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Can’t remember who we were playing before the season ended (maybe derby) but some opposition player was trying to pick fights with a few of our players, putting himself about a bit, it started to get a bit tasty, then I see Bailly on the touchline ready to come on and thought to myself “this should be fun”
Almost immediately from him coming on there was a loose ball which this dirty little twaaat was chasing, then I see Bailly making a bee line for him and crunch, nearly snapped him in two
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That was how I used to play 35 odd years ago.

> Herrera

< Maradona


by about the same amount

Fellaini was an effective weapon when used correctly - playing further up the pitch and getting into the box. He caused uncertainty and panic for defenders in those situations because he was good at running onto the ball in the air rather than being a static target for crosses. You don't tend to get many big men running in from deeper - they tend to be the furthest forward!
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Pretty much.

When used as he should've been used Fellaini was a good asset. I'm thinking of games like Juve away last year, where we were totally outplayed by a superior team until Fellaini came on and inexplicably made them shīt themselves, without even having that much of a direct impact.

LVG and Jose were both guilty of using him to 'cut corners' so to speak. Playing him in games we should've been winning anyway because they didnt have any confidence in the team. And it no doubt contributed to some horrible performances over the years.

It wasnt his fault though and I always felt for him a bit. When he wasnt elbowing someone's face off he always seemed like a good guy. I was at the Spurs game when he was booed and it really wasnt nice. You've got to have a bit of mental toughness about you to put up with some of stick he got for 4 years, so fair play to him for that.

How would you describe him as a player?
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If you ever needed a foul, he was your man.

Just a shame it was always against us!

Fellaini typified the chaos of a crazy time in the club's history when nothing really went right on or off the pitch capitulated by people who really weren't suitable to guide the United ship in the immediate post Fergie period for the club.

Thankfully sense finally prevailed in the form of Ole and his likes are been shipped out. And now the future looks good.

Good for bringing on when you needed a goal and wanted to fro everything at the opposition

With that hair he was brilliant at "cushioned" headers.

A stain on the shirt and club.

I think Fellaini got so much game time for us due to the failings of other players.

In fairness to LVG & Jose they both tried to phase him out but he kept getting back in due to poor form of others and injuries.