Former Manchester United manager David Moyes says Marouane Fellaini is finally proving his worth at Old Trafford.
Fellaini struggled to live up to his €35 million (£27.5m) price tag in his first season at United and the Belgium international was even thought to be close to ending his Manchester nightmare following Louis van Gaal’s arrival at the start of the 2014-15 Premier League campaign.
But the ex-Everton midfielder has since elevated himself into Van Gaal’s first-team plans after returning from injury, with two impressive performances against West Brom and Chelsea in recent weeks.
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Fellaini was on target as United drew 2-2 at West Brom, while the towering 26-year-old was also effective in nullifying Cesc Fabregas in last week’s 1-1 stalemate with the Premier League leaders.
And Moyes, who brought Fellaini to Manchester before he was sacked as manager in April, believes the Belgian can become a key player for United.
“It’s true that players can take time to settle at a new club. I remember people telling me it took Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic a while. Players who became great players for United,” Moyes wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
Marouane should have been given time too, because he’s now proving what I always believed: that he can be an important player for United.
“I’ve watched him in the last two games and he has been first class. He’s had an influence on the games, which is what you look to your bigger players to do. And I think he’s played an important part in helping United gain some momentum going into the Manchester derby.
“There were times last season when things were tough, when we spoke. But I told him then that he would become a top United player if he continued to work hard.”
Moyes added: “He can perform several jobs in a team but I think it helps him to have someone like Daley Blind sitting there in that more defensive midfield role.
“At Standard Liege he had [Steven] Defour or [Axel] Witsel sitting deeper and allowing him to get further forward, and at Everton he had players like Phil Neville.
“At United last season we lacked that kind of midfielder, and while Marouane has the physical ability to cover the ground he’s definitely more effective in a game if he’s accompanied by a defensive midfield player.
“So I’m delighted he’s settled down now and he’s beginning to be appreciated for what he is; a damn fine footballer who was definitely worth the effort as well as the money.”
Easy Dave, did well for 45 mins against West Brom and was ok at home versus Chelsea. The standard is winning championships and dominating midfield against the top sides in Europe like his predecessors.
In fairness I thought he was excellent against Chelsea, he did nullify Cesc and put in a gritty performance over all. You’re right though, very early days to say he’s worth all that money.
Well Paddy, I thought he was pretty good but I couldn’t say excellent. I thought he was really good at Everton and it was a big black mark against Moyes that he couldn’t produce at all under him at Utd. But at the money paid for him and the shoes he has to fill I think you’d have to put excellent in that context.
In all fairness to Moyes after 10 games he had more points than Van Gaal has right now.
Keep in mind United’s games so far have included the likes of West Brom, Sunderland, QPR and Burnley.
Also add into the mix that Van Gaals spent €196million.
Put the facts on the table and Moyes record doesn’t look too bad compared to the supposed “saviour”.
Plus he had to deal with the Rio Ferdinand dissent etc
Moyes destroyed the confidence and morale of the team beyond recognition. The damage is so pronounced that it even shocked LVG. His methods were old school and he could not command the respect of the players. Players who played for top teams and managers know what it’s all about, and they know what Moyes was all about. Not much, I am afraid.
Although you don’t make any sense, MU fans are delighted that a Liverpool fan is taking interest in MU articles. You better focus on your Liverpool first bro. Good luck pulsing Real this week. Let’s see how good a team you are! You were lucky last season. Luck & Suarez can only take you so far! Haha!
If Moyes think Felaini needs a defensive midfielder along side him, then why didn’t he go out there and sign one. I tell you why, because his CV is amateur and he coudn’t attract players
Yes, people point out that LVG has an advantage of having an excellent crop of new players compared to Moyes. What people don’t realized is that Moyes had the whole summer to recruit players with good money. Don’t forget LVG was busy most of the summer with Holland in the World Cup. He had to recruit for a MU that finished 7th. While Moyes recruited for MU as EPL champion. The sad truth is no one wanted to come play for Moyes. LVG recruited players who didn’t mind not playing for Champions League. How did Moyes do in the CL?
It’s easy for Moyes to make a comment on
Fellaini after he did well in two games. That’s what I call hindsight. If Moyes’ comment came in the begining of the season, it would be valid. And his comment on Mata is? Is he going to wait for Mata to do well before he says he bought the right player again?
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Easy Dave, did well for 45 mins against West Brom and was ok at home versus Chelsea. The standard is winning championships and dominating midfield against the top sides in Europe like his predecessors.
In fairness I thought he was excellent against Chelsea, he did nullify Cesc and put in a gritty performance over all. You’re right though, very early days to say he’s worth all that money.
Well Paddy, I thought he was pretty good but I couldn’t say excellent. I thought he was really good at Everton and it was a big black mark against Moyes that he couldn’t produce at all under him at Utd. But at the money paid for him and the shoes he has to fill I think you’d have to put excellent in that context.
If Fellaini keeps playing well all it proves is Moyes was a worse manager than everyone thought because he couldn’t get him to perform
Good point actually.
In all fairness to Moyes after 10 games he had more points than Van Gaal has right now.
Keep in mind United’s games so far have included the likes of West Brom, Sunderland, QPR and Burnley.
Also add into the mix that Van Gaals spent €196million.
Put the facts on the table and Moyes record doesn’t look too bad compared to the supposed “saviour”.
Plus he had to deal with the Rio Ferdinand dissent etc
He’s played what ? 135 minutes ? Moyes please stop reminding us you were in charge
Moyes destroyed the confidence and morale of the team beyond recognition. The damage is so pronounced that it even shocked LVG. His methods were old school and he could not command the respect of the players. Players who played for top teams and managers know what it’s all about, and they know what Moyes was all about. Not much, I am afraid.
Oohh every single one of us will stand by david moyes
He was still better than rodgers
You better go to your Liverpool articles and have a pity party with your fellow fans. They need you more. LOL.
This lad has more sour grapes than a bad winery.
Give it up Dave. It’s embarrassing.
And car gaal
Although you don’t make any sense, MU fans are delighted that a Liverpool fan is taking interest in MU articles. You better focus on your Liverpool first bro. Good luck pulsing Real this week. Let’s see how good a team you are! You were lucky last season. Luck & Suarez can only take you so far! Haha!
If Moyes think Felaini needs a defensive midfielder along side him, then why didn’t he go out there and sign one. I tell you why, because his CV is amateur and he coudn’t attract players
Yes, people point out that LVG has an advantage of having an excellent crop of new players compared to Moyes. What people don’t realized is that Moyes had the whole summer to recruit players with good money. Don’t forget LVG was busy most of the summer with Holland in the World Cup. He had to recruit for a MU that finished 7th. While Moyes recruited for MU as EPL champion. The sad truth is no one wanted to come play for Moyes. LVG recruited players who didn’t mind not playing for Champions League. How did Moyes do in the CL?
It’s easy for Moyes to make a comment on
Fellaini after he did well in two games. That’s what I call hindsight. If Moyes’ comment came in the begining of the season, it would be valid. And his comment on Mata is? Is he going to wait for Mata to do well before he says he bought the right player again?
You are right. He hasn’t gotten over his sack yet. Perhaps he still don’t know why MU dumped him!