Manchester United have now won their last two fixtures and it’s eased some of pressure that has surrounded Old Trafford, as the Red Devils are now up to eighth in the Premier League table.

Big Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini has started in each of those away victories against Burnley and Watford.

In fact, Fellaini has been instrumental in United securing those triumphs.

I was unsure when Man Utd re-signed Marouane but Jose Mourinho is a huge fan of the thirty year old and his faith in the Belgian international is already being repaid.

Playing in a midfield three alongside Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, he gives the United team more strength in the engine room. His positioning and discipline also gives World Cup winner Pogba more freedom to be creative in midfield.

On average he’s making one tackle per game and has an 83.2% passing success rate. He takes instruction well and when he keeps things simple, he can be a delight to watch.

It’s Marouane’s aerial ability that really makes him an influential player in this current Manchester United team.

Fellaini was involved in the opening goal, in the win over Watford, as he kept an Ashley Young free-kick alive with a great first touch one his chest before putting the ball back across goal. The ball would eventually work it’s way back into the box and the chance was finished off by a hard working Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian international midfielder was then on hand to create an excellent assist for Chris Smalling’s winner. Young hit a deep corner into the back of The Hornets penalty area. The cross was then met by Fellaini (after a majestic leap) and his inch perfect header hit the six yard box and Smiling controlled the ball before thumping it into the back of the net. It was a set-piece straight from the Carrington training ground!

But Marouane Fellaini’s ability in the air and his physicality is equally as important for United defensively as it is in attack.

In their losses to Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, Man United looked very fragile at the back and it was especially evident as they tried to defend crosses and set-pieces. Fellaini, with his height, is able to win plenty of headers in his own box and divert chances away from David de Gea’s goal.

Against Watford, the six foot four midfielder won five aerial duels. He was also on hand to make three tackles and made an incredible five clearances. Defending at corners and free-kicks has significantly improved with Fellaini’s reintroduction to the team this term.

After yesterday’s victory Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho came out praising his solid foot-soldier:

“Then we go to two matches away, difficult matches. I felt that my central defenders need, especially in this moment of a bit of instability, they need somebody to support them and give them the first wall, physically.

United have seen marked improvements in various talents in recent fixtures like Smalling, Lukaku, Pogba, De Gea and Alexis Sanchez.

But for me, Marouane Fellini has been a real difference maker as Manchester United look to get their season back on track. He offers something different, has the experience to give assured performances and is a threat in both penalty areas.

Fair play to the man, people keep writing him off but Fellaini keeps coming back and proving himself.

Posted on September 16th, 2018 by scott
Filed under: Article