Fellaini, Kagawa and Januzaj - the magical trio of Manchester United

Marouane Fellaini: the player that Manchester United needs

Most Manchester United fans were disgruntled rather than pleased when the club announced Marouane Fellaini as their “marquee” signing and perhaps their only summer signing of any note after an exhaustive search for a midfield anchor throughout this summer. Moreover, they failed to sign the creative man that David Moyes coveted so badly that they publicly declared their interests in the potential targets, which frankly was unlike them.

Moyes apparently is not a fan of Shinji Kagawa, the midfield man on the bench for the first two Premier League games against Swansea and Chelsea. He did not even make the squad for the Liverpool game which was crying for lack of creativity and then as reported, suffered a mild illness for home win against Crystal Palace. He was fit enough though to play close to 150 minutes for Japan over last week and even managed to score a goal.

United started with Anderson alongside Carrick in the midfield against Crystal Palace, having given Cleverly a run out in the previous two league games. During the Brazilian’s occasional moment of brilliance in the game where he put Ashley Young on goal and which should have been buried into the net, Young only managed to hit it straight at the goalkeeper. That exact moment that compelled Sir Alex Ferguson to cough up £17million to secure his services in 2007 in the first place.

But then as in the past Anderson’s lack of interest in the general play, losing the ball cheaply in good positions and not to mention his fitness issues have been reasons exactly why he may be shipped out at the end of this season.

As expected, he was replaced by the new £27 million deadline day signing, the big Belgian, Marouane Fellaini. Immediately United looked more composed in the middle of the park with Fellaini doing what was expected of him, playing the role of an enforcer. He got his passes going, won the ball back with crunching tackles, won almost every ball in the air and also forced a decent save from the goalkeeper with a 20 yards volley towards left bottom corner of the Palace keeper.

United have not had such a player after Roy Keane, only briefly filled by an excellent and an unfortunate Owen Hargreaves. If he can be anywhere near Keane or Hargreaves for that matter, United will have spent their money well.

The other substitute was another Belgian Adnan Januzaj, who replaced the controversial Ashley Young. Returning from a successful tour of Asia, Januzaj rejected the opportunity of going out on loan and preferred to stay at Old Trafford to fight for his place in the side.

As far as this United squad is concerned, he does come across as a breath of fresh air. He is comfortable on the ball, has the technique and can go beyond his marker in one on one situations. Nimble footed and floating on the grass are the phrases that come to your mind as you watch him play.

In fact, his movement on and off the ball reminds you to think of Spanish play-maker, David Silva. Next couple of years are unpredictable, but United do have a gem in its squad if only Moyes can polish him the right way.

Moyes, would of course be worried about the lack of goals in his last three Premier League games from open play. Despite having close to 60 percent possession in last two of the matches against Liverpool and Crystal Palace, United have failed to impose themselves on their opponent or rather kill the game when they are on top.

And often what has let them down this season is the lack of quality of the ball in the final third of the pitch. This has primarily been the reason why United fans crying for Shinji Kagawa to get some game time. United did turn Borussia Dortmund down who came with a offer to take Kagawa back to the place he excelled, but it only is a matter of time if Shinji chooses to move to a club offering him more playing time.