: Having been our only purchase of note to come out of a turbulent and worrying period in United’s history three summers ago, which brought to a close an era that was the greatest in the club’s history when Sir Alex retired, Fellaini could be regarded as the last remnant of that summer that began a miserable and frustrating 3 years for the club. He was the last resort signing of a rather failed and embarrassing first transfer window for new manager David Moyes in the post Ferguson era so, as far as appealing to the fans goes, Fellaini was not off to a good start.
In the 12 months that followed, Fellaini would be a regular fixture in United’s midfield in a doom-laden first – and only – season under David Moyes’ management which would see the club finishing in their lowest ever position in the Premier League era. Enter Louis van Gaal and his “philosophy”. A man that deployed possession at all cost, sleep-inducing football that saw Fellaini being utilized as a focal point when things were desperate in yet another rather forgettable and unsuccessful spell for the club. It’s unfortunate for Fellaini that he became representative of everything that was wrong in the post Ferguson era and was symbolic of the failings of his two previous United managers. Is that fair that he’s often been made a scapegoat for fans, myself included? Probably not. Not least because in the mist of the constant scathing criticism that he has been subjected to, it can’t be argued that the man doesn’t give his all. So why does the tide appear to be turning in regards to fan perception of Marouane Fellaini ? Well of course it helps that a reputable manager like Jose Mourinho has come in, brought with him an air of positivity that has gripped the club and its fanbase again, is showing every sign of getting United back on track and has then gone on to publicly endorse Fellaini and utilize him in a role that suits best his qualities and attributes.
LVG’s brand of football frustratingly suppressed every players’ ambition and creativity but that often allowed Fellaini more freedom. That only aided in further exposing the ugly nature of his play, so it’s no wonder it was hard to view him in a good light, particularly when it became evident that he can’t finish for shit and so missed many opportunities in front of goal. In most of the games he’s played under Mourinho, Fellaini has looked the most positively impactful than he’s ever been in a United shirt and if Jose is to stick with him then long may it continue. We may well end up considering Fellaini a pivotal and an unexpected hero in Jose’s set-up as time goes by, now who would’ve imagined that? A frightening thought.
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