3 reasons Man United should ignore Fellaini’s transfer suitors
Published:
Besiktas lining up move for Belgian international
For those outside of Old Trafford, it’s become a tiresome cliché that Marouane Fellaini has been a failure at Manchester United. But that view is based largely on a poor first season for the club.
Increasingly valued by Red Devils fans, the big Belgian’s influential displays have unsurprisingly courted interest from elsewhere. Turkish heavyweights Besiktas are the latest club linked with the midfielder, whose contract runs out next summer.
However, the Coral News Team have taken a close look at Fellaini’s stats and impact – and believe Jose Mourinho would be foolish to sell the 29-year-old. Here’s why…
His attacking threat helps steamroll weaker teams
While he’s not widely considered one of United’s key threats coming forward, a closer look at Fellaini’s goalscoring this term suggests opposition defences would be unwise to underestimate him.
The man from Brussels may have been hampered by injury in the early part of this campaign, but he’s still managed to net four goals. Having done so in just 448 minutes means he’s registered once every 112 minutes. That’s a record most strikers would envy.
While United undoubtedly have some top-class finishers, Fellaini serves a vital role in breaking down sides who are physically lightweight – however well organised.
It was his bullet header which broke the deadlock in an eventual 3-0 win against a dogged Basel side, while he also used his physicality and intelligent movement to give United breathing space against the likes of Crystal Palace and Leicester City.
He’s leading by example
For the first hour of Manchester United’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, the Red Devils looked dismal. At 1-0 down, they looked almost content to lose narrowly. And then Fellaini came on.
Despite having only just recovered from injury, the Belgian took the game by the scruff of the neck and almost forced an equaliser. His energetic arrival also seemed to inject some life into the otherwise listless Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford into action.
That’s far from the first time he’s offered a talismanic presence under Mourinho. He was head and shoulders above anyone else on the park in the aforementioned meeting with Basel.
He was arguably the Red Devils’ key driving force in the Europa League final, overpowering a lightweight Ajax midfield, and creating Paul Pogba’s opener in a display which lifted a side who’d started the game a little nervily.
With performances like that, last season’s visit to the Stadium of Light is unlikely to be the last time he wears the captain’s armband for the club.
Belgian’s midfield steel helps United see games out
Mourinho’s men haven’t conceded a single goal in the four games Fellaini’s started this season. In fact, no opposition side has scored while the 29-year-old has been on the pitch this term. By contrast, they’ve shipped eight goals in his absence.
While his reputation as a bruising, powerful player is warranted, that’s far from all the experienced midfielder offers the North-West giants. With an 84% pass accuracy, his abilities as a neat, reliable, unfussy passer of the ball are underrated.
Having previously struggled a little with disciplinary issues, he’s now learned to use his strength far more positively. He’s proved himself excellent at holding up the ball and laying off safe, neat passes.
The idea of Fellaini as a ‘rash’ player no longer holds water. He’s been sent off just once in his last 91 games for the club. That’s just one more reason why United would be very wise to turn away potential suitors and offer the Belgium international a new, long-term contract.
Man United host Newcastle United on Saturday, with 1/4 for the hosts to enjoy a 10th successive home win in all competitions.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
