One of Manchester United’s more put upon midfielders is Marouane Fellaini. The Belgian ace just couldn’t seem to catch a break last season. Some fans have even been calling for his head (figuratively speaking).
When Marouane Fellaini was asked about his future at Manchester United, he responded as follows:
“We will see after the World Cup. I don’t have to prove [anything]. I’ve been a professional footballer for eight years.” (Source: The Mirror)
I would argue that professional footballers are required to prove themselves week-in, week-out. They pick up a bizarrely huge wage because they’re expected to produce the goods again and again. If they don’t, they’re rightfully called to account.
Like it or not, Marouane Fellaini moved to Old Trafford on the back of a £27.5m deal. He has a massive price-tag hovering over his head and he needs to find a way of justifying this.
To be fair to the big Belgian bruiser, he also needs the proper opportunity to prove himself. He made only 12 appearances for Manchester United last season and spent a lot of time convalescing from a niggly injury problem. I’d argue that he deserves another season at Old Trafford to show fans what he’s capable of producing.
More than that, however, he needs to establish himself in a particular position. He’s capable of playing as a centre-back, a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder and a centre-forward. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that he’s really made any of these positions his own yet.
Louis Van Gaal needs to select where he wants to deploy Fellaini and stick with it. He’s a fighter (his recent goal against Algeria for Belgium proved this). If he’s given a run of games, then I’m sure he has the fortitude, power and presence to establish himself as a real force within Manchester United’s midfield.
Ander Herrera has already been brought in to add depth to this area of the pitch, but he’s a different type of player to Fellaini. I’d expect to see the Spaniard deployed a little further up. Perhaps the two of them, working together, can help to turn the fortunes of this Manchester United team around.
What’s your take? Where does Marouane Fellaini’s future lie?
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