Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has suggested that Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini is played in the wrong position under manager Louis Van Gaal. The big Belgian has come under heavy criticism since he joined United in 2013 for £27.5 million and was more recently criticised for allegedly elbowing Liverpool FC's Emre Can. With calls to drop the player being made by both fans and pundits, Belgium Manager Marc Wilmots told The Times that he believes Fellaini is strictly a “box-to-box” midfielder.
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“I know him by heart. In my eyes, he is a box-to-box (midfielder). He could also play as No. 6 by himself, but not with a partner,” he said. “He has the ability to play on the offensive too, as Everton used him. He is the best goal scorer I have. He is a very good player with a unique profile, but he is a player who must be used taking his qualities into account.”
Fellaini enjoyed a successful spell at former club Everton, where he was often deployed behind the striker or as a defence midfielder. Scoring 17 goals over four seasons, the player became a fan favourite at Goodison Park and was once described by manager David Moyes as “good as anyone in the league”. He was later reunited with Moyes at Old Trafford but has struggled to make the same impact he had at Everton, with constant speculation suggesting that he will be the first out the door if Louis Van Gaal is replaced as manager.
But Fellaini’s poor form with United is a stark contrast to his form at International level, where the player often plays a key role for the recently emerged football superpower. With a record of 15 goals in 62 appearances, Fellaini assisted the Belgium side in qualifying for the World Cup and scored in the tournament during a 2-1 win against Algeria. During UEFA Euro 2016 qualification, Fellaini scored two goals in a 5-0 win against Cyprus and the winner in a 1–0 win against Israel.
The Belgian has not enjoyed the same form at club level, however, with calls to drop the player reignited after he put in a perceived dismal performance over two legs against Liverpool in the Europe League final 16. The player himself was forced to explain that he wasn’t a dirty player after he was described by former referee Howard Webb as a “thug”.
“I don't want to elbow someone, I just defend myself. Okay, I am physical, I like to win my challenge but I am not a dirty player,” he said. “I like to win my challenge when I play a game. In England, there are a lot of physical challenges so if you want to win the game you have to be aggressive and win your challenge.”
While Fellaini may well be played out of position at Manchester United, the criticism he receives for his poor form and on-field behaviour means he will most likely be shipped out by the club in the summer.
