It’s now five years since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as Manchester United manager, with the Glaswegian leaving Old Trafford a 13-time Premier League winner. Only six first-team players remain from that squad, whilst Jesse Lingard was on the fringes after spending time on-loan at Leicester City.
The arrival of David Moyes was certainly the start of a new era and his purchase of Marouane Fellaini from his old club Everton was symbolic of that fact. Fellaini joined on deadline day for £27.5 million as United’s first major signing under their new boss, despite the £23.5 million release clause that had expired just a month earlier.
“He can play higher up, if we need it, behind the striker or as a defensive or holding midfielder,” proclaimed Moyes. “I have known the manager for many years now and I have a lot of respect for his way of working,” added Fellaini.
United had few midfield options at this time, with Paul Scholes retiring and Darren Fletcher’s extended period on the side-lines. However, Fellaini wasn’t the all-rounder and creative force that many supporters had been hoping for.
His career in Manchester has been turbulent to say the least, as he has booed by his own fans and been one of their best players in other periods. He started only 12 league games in his first campaign but became Louis Van Gaal’s ‘Plan B’ the year after, when the Dutchman’s possession-based philosophy failed to materialise the kind of football they are now playing across the city.
Felliani scored four goals at the beginning of 2017/18 against Leicester City, Basle and Crystal Palace and now coach Jose Mourinho was very complimentary of his transformation. He has featured less in the last year due to two knee injuries, but he started the huge Champions League encounter with Sevilla ahead of Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay due to his experience and supposed tactical discipline.
The Belgian has never been the first player on the team sheet for United, but he has been important within the squad. It is illustrative of both United’s problems in his position and an emphasis on how they have regressed in the last half a decade.
That’s not Fellaini’s fault and his attributes have been a useful commodity, whilst he has worked hard when given the opportunity. It’s difficult though to envisage him in another top side in Europe or even England due to his stylistic capability and his skillset is not at the same level of the world’s leading midfielders.
Felliani’s contract expires at the end of the season and it was only at the end of January that Mourinho expressed his desire to extend his stay. “He’s a very important player for me, he’s a great professional who is giving everything he can to help the team,” said the Portuguese boss.
United should use this opportunity to make a break and find the perfect complement for Pogba and Nemanja Matic. With Michael Carrick announcing his retirement this week, United are lacking quality and sufficient numbers in the midfield area once again.
