Moyes Needs Steel – Fellaini Will Give United What They Really Need

Marouane Fellaini is no stranger to ‘The Faithful’, having been the architect of our end of season collapse in 2012, battering our midfield to a pulp, and banging four past us at Old Trafford. He is uncompromising and no shrinking violet. He doesn’t have the style that United fans like in our midfielders, and he can be dirty as hell. All of these are reasons as to why we need him…

United have tried the diminutive midfielder in the middle approach. We’ve even considered playing Rooney or Kagawa there, even though they simply are not conventional midfielders. In a 4-4-2 ideally you need a box-to-box player, or in a 4-2-3-1 you need a player with the discipline to sit beside Carrick and do a job.

Fellaini can be that player.

There is no doubt that his goal and assist record for Everton has been outstanding the past twelve months, but he was very much deployed off the front man, rather than in the central midfield. But it is central midfield that is his position, and his future. United have missed a physical presence as an option in the centre of the park.

Of course, we have won trophies over the post Roy Keane years, but if anyone wanted a midfield war with us, all we could do is sit back on the edge of our defence and hold the line. I’ve always said United need to find their Yaya Toure. I think he alone took City to the next level.

You can buy all the flash attackers and monster centre backs that money can buy, but unless you have that midfield general, you will always be tactically compromised in certain situations. The closest thing to Yaya for me is Luiz or Fellaini. It is fair to say Yaya has more pace than the Everton man, and that Luiz can pass the ball better than both, but it is more about fulfilling the concept and criteria of the position. The Belgian can no doubt do this.

There are plenty of positives to note on the potential signing of Fellaini. The defensive and offensive edge he will offer at set pieces. The physical aid he can offer Carrick. A tough unit, who can score goals. Comedy hair. The list is endless.

I totally get why some United fans do not see him as the answer. He is not a big name. He is the opposite of ‘flair’. But our squad is packed full of creativity, especially if you take into account the youth that is now on the verge of first team football. If the likes of Januzaq and Powell are to be the inventive hub of our very near future, it is steel that we should be adding right now.

In those two lads, added to Zaha, Young, Valenecia, RvP, Chico, Welbeck, Rooney (if he can be arsed to stay), Nani (hmm) and most importantly Kagawa…we have more than enough creativity to see us through. What we do NOT have is ten tonne truck, who indeed will pick up bookings and suspensions, but will also scare the life out of opponents, as they debate what they can actually do to battle him.

United fans will continue to pray for a stellar signing, and look up towards the stars. But sometimes you need something practical. There is no use in building a weapon like jet fighter plane, unless you give it the engine it needs, to fly high and destroy its chosen targets. Fellaini can be Manchester United’s engine for many years to come. And the irony? United fans will love him for that…