Marouane Fellaini: I am not here to be Scholes or Carrick, I’m here to be me

Marouane Fellaini has told be IN Sport (via Sky Sports) that he turned down a move to Arsenal in favour of signing for current Premier League champions Manchester United.

The towering Belgian who worked under David Moyes previously at Everton, cost in the region of £27.5m after failing to bring in any other first team members during the transfer window. Key in his final decision was the presence of his former boss at the Red Devils, claiming that he knew the club wanted to sign him all summer.

“I don’t want to tell you everything what happened during the transfer,” said Fellaini.

“In a transfer window, there is always a list of players, you never know if it’s true or not. But for me, I knew [Moyes] was interested in me.

“Chelsea? No comment. Arsenal? It’s true, they were interested, but Manchester United convinced me to sign for them.”

After suffering from a rough start to his life at Old Trafford, Fellaini states that his form will turn a corner as soon as he settles in and is a big reason he’s where he is today.

“David Moyes has given me confidence,” he said.

“When I was in trouble early at Everton, he helped me and supported me. He did everything for me to become a great player.

“I was criticised, nobody knew who I was. I succeeded because I worked a lot. That’s why I’m playing for Manchester United today.”

When Manchester United sign a new player there are always comparison to former greats in that position and it was no different with Fellaini. The retirement of Paul Scholes will intensify these comparisons, but the 25-year old says he is his own man and must create his own legacy at the Theatre of Dreams if he is to succeed at the club.

“[I am not trying to] replace Scholes or Carrick or anyone. I try to play my own game. It is difficult at the moment, but I will succeed.”

It’s a lot of pressure to put on himself, but it will surely run well with the United faithful as they look to the future after the departure of the historic Sir Alex Ferguson.

Marouane Fellaini scored more goals last season (11) than any of the Manchester United midfield. Shinji Kagawa came closest with 6, but after him only Tom Cleverley and Ryan Giggs scored more than 1, with 2 each for the season.