What Marouane Fellaini brings to Manchester United

The defence screening problem:

The other problem with United’s midfield was its inability to provide sufficient support to the defence in times of pressure. The midfield failed to stop opposition attacks, and this resulted in excessive pressure on the defence and shots from distance.

These are situations that one wants to avoid at all times, situations which can cost the team important points. Fellaini will be a highly useful addition to the team in this respect.

*Click on the image to enlarge

As clear from the stats above, Fellaini wins more duels than the aforementioned trio. Fellaini won a total of 151 headed duels in the league last term, more than five times the number managed by Cleverley, Anderson and Carrick together (30).

Although the United trio won a lot more tackles and take-ons, the total duels won by them (216) together is still significantly lesser than what Fellaini managed (276).

*Click on the image to enlarge

On the interceptions front, United’s midfield fared much better. But this success was largely down to Carrick who had a total of 76 interceptions which were included in his total 159 defensive actions. Cleverley and Anderson however, still lag behind. The duo managed a meagre 62 defensive actions in comparison to 109 by Fellaini who had 8 fewer appearances than the duo combined.

The third problem:

The third problem? What was that I hear you ask? Well, not directly a problem caused by the midfield, but influenced by it. But, nonetheless, it is one problem we had in our last season that Fellaini will solve. The problem of ‘misplaced’ players.

In the last two seasons, our shortcomings in midfield have led to players being played out of position for the sake of the team. Rooney was played in midfield for a few matches. In others, he had to get back to help the midfield with defending opposition attacks. Nonetheless, this led to Rooney having to sacrifice his attacking instincts, which was not good for the team.

Similarly, Kagawa was brought in after winning two back-to-back Bundesliga Player of the Year awards as a classic no. 10. He had a reputation for quick short passes and one-twos. He was terrific for Dortmund in the role.

But similarly, he had to sacrifice his attacking role and play as a central midfielder in a few matches, a role he’s not entirely comfortable in. In other games, owing to injuries or fatigue, Giggs was played in the similar role. Giggs however is not suited to the role, being predominantly one-footed places its limitations on Giggs’s role in the centre.

But Fellaini’s transfer gives us different options now. Which brings us to our next question.

Where does he fit in?

Fellaini will be the man to partner Carrick in the middle of the park and provide a solid defensive cover for the back four. With Van Persie up front, there could be a 3-man attacking midfield to support him. This is what the team could look like in my opinion.

The trio of Kagawa, Rooney and Nani will be given attacking freedom to support van Persie while Fellaini and Carrick shield the defence and support the attack when required, especially against the smaller teams to provide a late runner into the box.

Fellaini is a box-to-box midfielder, and as Steve Round said, he has the legs to do the running all over the field. He can be a massive goal threat with his late runs into the box. But his main role in the side is as a defensive midfielder.

In Welbeck, Cleverley, Young, Anderson, Giggs and Hernandez, we have excellent options on the bench or when rotation of the squad is required. So, as I think, the options look promising in this 4-2-3-1 formation.

Our defence and attack, both look improved which is just another reason to stay positive and look forward to his debut against Crystal Palace.

Feel free to express your opinions in the comments below, or on twitter.

Stats: WhoScored and Squawka.

Line Up on field view: footballuser.com

- By Dheeraj Khandelwal.