Liverpool legend Alan Hansen has delivering a withering verdict on Manchester United midfielder Maroune Fellaini, basically claiming that the former Everton star is not good enough for to play for the reigning Premier League champions.
In his column for The Telegraph this week, Hansen dismissed Fellaini's chances of making a big impact at Old Trafford, and suggested that David Moyes has wasted £27.5m (€33m) on the powerful Belgian. He observed:
"The transfer deadline day purchase of Marouane Fellaini will continue to prompt scrutiny.
"Fellaini does not yet look what you would call a typical United player. He is struggling since making the step up.
"You need to be more technically gifted in central midfield to play for a team like United".
Fellaini always seemed like an impressive player at Everton, so it's a little surprising that he's struggled to make an impact at United. Hansen claims that the Belgian is 'struggling to make the step-up', but is it really a step-up?
Okay, it's a step up in the overall standing of the team, but Fellaini is still up against the same players/teams against whom he excelled for Everton. Isn't it more likely that he's just taking time to settle in at Man Utd?
I'd compare Moyes' Fellaini transfer with Brendan Rodgers' purchase of Joe Allen.
* Like Allen, Fellaini is something of a comfort transfer for Moyes. He knows him well from Everton, and having Fellaini at the club gives Moyes some immediate, steadfast loyalty in the squad.
* Unfortunately, like Allen, Moyes clearly overpaid for Fellaini, and that may come back to haunt him later down the line.
* Both players excelled at their former clubs, but seem to struggle adapting to a more pressurised environment, where good performances are required in every single game.
Allen and Fellaini are undoubtedly very good players, but it looks like they've both ended up at clubs where they just don't fit. In Allen's case, with Liverpool actively seeking new central midfielders, it's hard to see how he has a long-term future at Anfield. If Rodgers sees Allen as a long-term solution, he wouldn't be looking for new midfielders right now.
As for Fellaini - he arguably has a better chance of making it at Man Utd than Allen does at Liverpool. He is a strong, combative midfielder, which is something United need, but - unlike Allen - Fellaini is versatile in that he can play further forward, and have an impact.
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for The Telegraph this week, Hansen dismissed Fellaini's chances of making a big impact at Old Trafford, and suggested that David Moyes has wasted £27.5m (€33m) on the powerful Belgian. He observed:
"The transfer deadline day purchase of Marouane Fellaini will continue to prompt scrutiny.
"Fellaini does not yet look what you would call a typical United player. He is struggling since making the step up.
"You need to be more technically gifted in central midfield to play for a team like United".
Fellaini always seemed like an impressive player at Everton, so it's a little surprising that he's struggled to make an impact at United. Hansen claims that the Belgian is 'struggling to make the step-up', but is it really a step-up?
Okay, it's a step up in the overall standing of the team, but Fellaini is still up against the same players/teams against whom he excelled for Everton. Isn't it more likely that he's just taking time to settle in at Man Utd?
I'd compare Moyes' Fellaini transfer with Brendan Rodgers' purchase of Joe Allen.
* Like Allen, Fellaini is something of a comfort transfer for Moyes. He knows him well from Everton, and having Fellaini at the club gives Moyes some immediate, steadfast loyalty in the squad.
* Unfortunately, like Allen, Moyes clearly overpaid for Fellaini, and that may come back to haunt him later down the line.
* Both players excelled at their former clubs, but seem to struggle adapting to a more pressurised environment, where good performances are required in every single game.
Allen and Fellaini are undoubtedly very good players, but it looks like they've both ended up at clubs where they just don't fit. In Allen's case, with Liverpool actively seeking new central midfielders, it's hard to see how he has a long-term future at Anfield. If Rodgers sees Allen as a long-term solution, he wouldn't be looking for new midfielders right now.
As for Fellaini - he arguably has a better chance of making it at Man Utd than Allen does at Liverpool. He is a strong, combative midfielder, which is something United need, but - unlike Allen - Fellaini is versatile in that he can play further forward, and have an impact.
Author: Jaimie K
Unecesary Joe Allen comparison. Supporting our players might be nice.
ReplyDeleteJust about every second article has got to do with Allen? It is a matter of time before the player himself puts and end to it all.
ReplyDeleteI still feel Joe will come good for us. Unfortunately he been in & out of the team. Once he plays regularly in our starting 11 he will improve and gets his confidence as well just like Henderson is.
ReplyDeleteSo every time a player or manager in another is not doing well you are going to write a spread about it and compare it to LFC???
ReplyDeleteYou think he is going to kill himself?
ReplyDeleteJust messin obviously. I like Joe and thought he played alright the other day, that miss aside.
ReplyDeleteput an end to it all by serving humble pie.
ReplyDeleteplease no. please want to improve.
ReplyDeleteWrite a piece about the games left till Jan and what we expect of these. Then we can clearly see.
ReplyDeleteWhat position in the midfield 3 do you guys think Allen's best is? At the start of last year he was very good playing the Lucas role in 4 3 3, now we don't play that formation it's difficult to see a natural position for him. He can be very neat and tidy on his day and in the right position. I just dont see it happening in current formations being used.
ReplyDeleteHe is a deep lying playmaker. That is the position he played at Swansea. He racked up many man of the match performances while filling in for Lucas at the start of his Anfield career. He has not played regular football for a while due to surgery and injuries but ones he is back to full match fitness then we will show what he is made of.
ReplyDeleteYeah, do it now!
ReplyDeleteYou've been told, JK.
Britton was the furthest back mate. Allen played in between him and the furthest forward. I think that is where he would be best played. But likesay it's different with us and that leaves him a little out of sorts. I think Lucas' position is the one most likely for him but I don't think he is tactically right for it. He prefers interceptions to tackles. Lucas makes more tackles than anyone in our team. I think it's needed in that area.
ReplyDeleteIf Allen plays it must be a straight swap for Lucas I think he would be better than Lucas.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Jose Carerras love child Martinez ? is he the new Spanish waiter in town, he fits the bill much better than Benitez
Of course Britton was the furthest back. He is a defensive midfielder.
ReplyDeleteI think fit is important which is why, despite his huge talent, I'm not sure Mitroglou would fit Liverpool's present style of play. The only reason he might be a great buy is because DS seems injury prone.
ReplyDeleteIf JK is the brains, and you are the wild card... I believe we've found the muscle!
ReplyDeleteWasn't Allen out for an extended period of time this season? Granted he's been back for several weeks, but in the 12 league games we've played, I feel like he's been active for 6 of them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, I'm incorrect, but that's the feeling I get.
He's not a first choice player for us at the moment. But he could be a nice depth player for us.
Unfortunately, we can't afford to spend 15m on one depth player.
Jamie. Do you not think the vision Rodgers had for us, you can see why Allen might have been a good fit but now the vision has changed slightly he doesn't quite suit.
ReplyDeleteHad we continued with 4 3 3 and he not been injured, it might have worked for him?
I was a big Allen fan in the beginning but now I'm missing Shelvey.
Why is Hansen always talking about United? Who's cares Alan?
ReplyDeleteOhhhhhhhh well excuse me he deliberately fouled a player in a way that could have ended his career. No your right he is an angel.
ReplyDeleteIs it little wonder that Everton is higher up now that the elbowing specialist is no longer at Goodison...?
ReplyDeleteShelvey is scoring winners for the Swans which is something we can't expect from Allen except when playing lesser summer tour teams...
ReplyDeleteJoe Allen's reputation is at rock bottom now. the only way is up for him now or to leave in the summer.
ReplyDeleteGood balanced piece, but I think you miss one key point when talking about Fellaini playing against the same players and so hasn't made a step up.
ReplyDeleteMoyes ultimately was using Fellaini as a number 10 at Everton as that is where he is best, and the ball was hit up to him as part of Everton's direct style under Moyes, so he could use his strength and height to cause defences issues, much like Duncan Ferguson did. Then for some inexplicable reason Moyes paid £27.5m (4m more than he needed to a couple of weeks earlier and about 15m too much) to put the same player in the central midfield of a far better and more cultured team, who are expected to perform at a far higher technical level such as the Champions League, and are expected to dominate games and possession far more than Everton.
Fellaini is far too slow, cumbersome, and clumsy to be a central midfielder for a side like Manchester United, and in central midfield his key assets such as height and awkward physique are not really assets at all there. He needs far more technical ability to play in central midfield, a far better passing range, and far more mobility. Unfortunately he isn't technical, has virtually no passing range, and zero mobility, so it's basically been an horrendous buy from Moyes, and one that really worries me for the future now that he's shopping at the top end of the market.
I'm not convinced Moyes is up to the job of United manager, and along with the poor team performances, more buys like Fellaini will prove it, especially as he also rejected a world class player like Ozil in the same window, and dismissed the creative Thiago as 'not a priority' despite the bargain price, and the fact his new team is clearly bereft of creativity, which is why they are not scoring many goals from open play under Moyes.
I think people are right tho. Allen goes to almost any other ok team and he'll be good, never legendary but alright.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the weight of the LFC shirt is too much and they crumble before our eyes.
I feel for the lad I really do and would like to see him come good, maybe next year, if not, sell him but remember Henderson and Lucas took their time to shin...
Fellaini does look ordinary at United but i would swap him for Allen in a minute.
ReplyDeleteYou are too short sighted to think beyond this season. Right now we only have the PL to play, next season we will be competing in more competitions and we will need a good squad. We have 4 CMs at the moment, SG,LL,JH,JA. Let's say we buy one or even 2 more, all 6 of them are going to get chances as SG is not getting any younger and if Suarez goes, we will probably switch back to the 4-3-3, which requires a core of 6 CMs. The good point of JA and JH is that they are versatile and can fill in any of the 3 CM positions, while LL is more rigid in terms of that.
ReplyDeleteAnd now Mirallas deserves what he will get, right?
ReplyDelete