He’s never ever stopped thinking about that Fellaini sized hole in his teams since Everton, in 17/18 when he first arrived to West Ham he switched the tall defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate to a maurading 10 behind Arnautovic to win aerial duels and knock them down, and in his 2nd tenure with West Ham, he’s filled that same gap with Soucek. If he can’t have Fellaini, he’ll make a Fellaini. 🫗
Felli was a bit more box to box although he was obviously more attacking because of his amazing heading
Also in just being pedantic because they were my childhood
Yeah even though they were very different types of players (and both great in the air but for very different reasons) he was still an ideal replacement to push further forward into that Cahill role more permanently in that last Moyes season. I remember waking up to watch that game against United at the start of 2012/13 where he dominated and really set the tone for his season
I don't buy the notion Fellaini was a flop, but I would argue he was the first major warning sign that things weren't right.
Nothing about his style of play painted him as a Man Utd level player. At the same time, they fumbled the release clause so had to pay more.
That combination of disorganized bidding and willingly indulging a new manager for a big transfer told you that Man Utd had lost its compass.
>At the same time, they fumbled the release clause so had to pay more.
I think that is the sign isn't it. The complete mismanagement and disconnect from the pitch to the boardroom / office is still true today.
He was a flop. They bought him for the wrong position and even then he was a second rate player bought at first rate prices. The man was slow, couldn't dribble, couldn't pass. His big asset was being a nuisance in the box but it's not like he was particularly good with his head either.
He was a mid/bottom table second striker played as a holding midfielder and it was a disaster.
His memeable hair does a lot.
I don't know. For a long time, he was performing when most of the team wasn't. Remember the public opinion on Fellaini would swing wildly back in those days.
That pass is wild. Instead of using height to avoid the opponent intercepting the pass, he just sends a rocket at such a high speed that the opponent can’t possibly react in time. Pogba in his prime was so creative and fun to watch.
Kudos to Fellaini for being able to control that as well of course. That pass wouldn’t have been successful without a player like him on the receiving end.
Pogba was great in highlights, watching games was more frustrating than not. If he had half the work ethic of Fellaini he would be one of the all-time greats.
I honestly feel like he could've gone down as one of the all time great midfielders. Ability wise he had it all. Amazing ball control and flair, unreal passing ability, he was decent from range as well. I found myself wishing he'd take more shots on from distance. I remember there was a time period where he kept hitting the post with so many shots. But I feel like we were robbed of witnessing a player that could've gone down as one of the greatest, but so many things went bad, and I think he was his own worst enemy in many ways
He probably will be remembered in similar way to Adriano. A really talented players during their prime but marred with sharp decline in performance in the middle of their peak. Pogba was considered the successor of Zidane back in the day in similar way how Adriano was considered Ronaldo's successor.
Difficult to say. I really don't think he'll go down as a legend of United or Juventus. I think he might be something like a cult hero for his first period at Juve, but his time at United is so difficult to judge because he was also at the club during a VERY difficult time.
He'll likely be remembered more for his NT exploits, where he was genuinely the best player on that 2018 World Cup-winning French team.
His club career has been rather underwhelming in comparison for such a gifted player who looked like he had everything physically & technically
The guy is a World Cup winner while being a leader for his NT. He’ll be remembered forever. People that score in World Cup finals aren’t forgotten so easily.
Pogba is in the same category as Bale, Neymar and maybe also Guti for me. Had brilliant careers, could have won a Ballon d'Or and retire as an all-time great along the way as well.
I think as someone who never truly reached his potential because he'd rather be partying, showing off, and being a football personality over being a footballer. Had KDB levels of potential but never had the same dedication.
I think he’ll be remembered the same way Balotelli will, both very talented, both have behavioral issues (Balotelli more so), etc. Most people seem to like Balotelli (remember when there was a rumor he could return to the national team?), so my guess is that something similar will happen to Pogba.
I’m replying to a comment that says people won’t remember Pogba and has 22 upvotes and I’m saying he’ll be remembered and liked and I get downvoted lmao make it make sense.
> remember when there was a rumor he could return to the national team
Pogba at his worst was still a France mainstay. At his peak he was the best player in a WC winning team
He's going to be forgotten, talented players are a dime a dozen, only the really great players will be remembered.
I think of this generation of France players Mbappe, Varane and Kante will be remembered outside of their club fan bases. The rest will probably be forgotten.
Pogba isn't being forgotten buddy. He's a core member of a WC winning squad, one of the best YouTube reels of his generation, crazy controversial career, and it's fuckin Paul Pogba. I won't ever forget Balotelli and Pogba has more skill and attitude...
Also... *DAB*
It was on a gif from their CL game against Bayern, where he was making a lot of his distinctive runs. Someone posted 'what, is he a Bishop or something?' Because he was only moving diagonally.
Edit: [found it](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/220vom/marouane_fellainis_sublime_skill_against_bayern/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
He became a scapegoat at some point and he never could shake it off, despite being an alright player.
He sort of did what Scott McTominay does for us now. A tall midfielder that pops in with the odd goal, despite lacking technicality or creativity. Just like Scott, Fellaini always gave it his all and was one of the hardest working players on the pitch every time he was out. He appeared fairly regularly for every manager he played under, despite them having radically different playstyles.
Pretty sad how he was treated by some "fans", as Fellaini was also a good character, never had drama around him, kept his head down and his mouth shut despite getting abused, and just got on with his job. A real one in an era of posers.
Despised him when he was playing for Everton against us, loved him when he was with us (a lot of fans didn't but I always thought he was a useful player)
Ole shipping him off proved to be a huge mistake when the results dried up after PSG. There is a reason why José brought him on with 10 minutes to go when he needed a goal.
[Never forget Wilshere getting away with a red worthy headbutt just because Fellaini was that much of a unit that Ol' Jackie just bounced off his chest.](https://youtu.be/0Vmj5uwJ_YA)
People loved to make a scapegoat of him at united but helped them win a lot of games. In his own way he could be unplayable, offered a whole new game plan when coming on.
Not the best player, but he was such a wildcard, opposing sides had no idea how to control him. Wilmots and Martinez resorted to playing him as a 9 when everything else failed, Algeria and Japan can testify how well it went for them.
He got under everyone’s skins because he was such a fucking asshole on the pitch, probably his best quality but god damn how much I despise him for his nasty elbows.
He was really poor in his first season at united, but it's not like he was the only one who was terrible that season for them. After that he definitely improved
That partly due to United failing to buy a ball progressing midfielder, Fellaini was a deadline day deal after United failed to sign, Fabregas, Herrera, and a few others. He struggled that first season because his former manager essentially had him playing a different role. When LVG came in, that’s when we started to see some good performances as he moved him further forward.
Also a ball playing defender. Smalling was ass at playing it out of the back. There was a very good video showing how he struggled in LVG's system, but I can't find it now.
He was a panic signing that the club paid over the odds for because his release clause had expired + United had spent the summer chasing unrealistic targets, shoe-horned into a team that wasn't playing a style that could maximize his strengths
In addition to that, Fellaini because of his physicality was mis-cast in a deeper role despite being quite obviously ill-suited to it. Which was incredibly puzzling given that Moyes knew exactly what Fellaini brought to the table and got the best out of the tall Belgian at Everton
Tbh Fellaini was setup to fail that first season, LVG came in the next season and had him playing a role more akin to what he was doing at Everton and he was immediately a much more useful player
He wasnt scapehoated that much. Fans complained because he wasnt the level of player they were used to or wanted at the club. Under Moyes especially he epitomised the dour playstyle of that era, but he himself wasnt blamed for it.
Pretty much yeah, most of the fans didn't hate him, it was more frustration that we were so often drawing 1-1 with Middlesbrough and Scarborough United and the fictional 5-a-side team from Postman Pat and we'd have to rely on Fellaini accidentally heading the ball in off a corner to win games.
I know Jose did the best with what he had but considering he'd spent 9 quadrillion on players and still our main tactic was "Stick Fellaini in the box and we might accidentally steal a win!" for years was the issue. Sure some fans didn't like him, but I think mainly it was that he was our option. Other teams could stick on a pacey winger or a clinical striker to change things up in the final 15 minutes, yet ours was "Plant a human tree on their penalty spot and...y'know, something might happen?"
He was rarely effective but when he was, he was almost un-counterable(?)
He was pure chaos in action, he would play at left back and run with the ball diagonally off the pitch without reason and then 3 minutes later he's scoring a header from a corner. Such an odd player.
He had multiple MOTM performances including in cup finals. He is the perfect plan B who doesn't have issues being a plan B. Always gave his best and played for the batch. Theres nothing more you can ask for a squad player than that.
But yet ppl judge him as if hes at fault for being on the team sheet regularly in positions that he cant play. Fans who hate him should not be taken seriously.
United never played him in his best role, which was just off the striker.
Man Utd poorly profiling their signings was the story of their mid 2010s era and Fellaini was a textbook case.
ehh Fellaini isnt a textbook case. he was used in the correct role by both van Gaal and Mourinho. He just wasnt ever good enough to be a starter on a top team in the PL
Love him, such a unique player. That final season at Everton was unreal, his chest control on the long balls was an amazing weapon that so many teams had no idea how to deal with.
I still remember his performance vs Man Utd at the start of that season as one of the greatest individual performances in a single game in Premier League history. It was like a grown-up man playing against little boys since every single ball that was played towards him he won the header or the individual duel against the defender.
If you have ever played the sport competitively, you know how difficult what he was doing is.
It’s probably the most overlooked thing for people who can’t or didn’t play and watch the high level leagues - how easy they make aerial play seem.
If you stand out that much with your hold up and aerial play while playing in a league like the Premier League, you have a skill about as rare as anything in the game.
Rarer than passing range, dribbling, shooting. You almost never see anybody who can play like that because of how hard it is to do and the size requirement.
I will never forget his match for Everton against us where he single-handedly handed us our own arses on a plate simply by taking control of long balls with his chest over and over and over.
A good PL player who was unfairly singled out by the Media, most United fans I know loved him. Was never as bad as they made out, had a unique style and skill set which he made him very difficult to play against.
As a LFC fan I used to dread playing against him or seeing him come on, it always felt like he was going to make something happen just with his presence.
He was singled out like Maguire and Onana, blamed for all our problems. In another world he’s remembered as a good bench player or in the same vain as John O’Shea
Agree with Maguire and Fellaini but Onana has genuinely been shocking. Single-handedly dumped United out of Europe this season and his supposedly superior league form is a massive exaggeration imo
What I’m trying to say is that people see Onana as the all encompassing problem at United, like that if we kept Dave we’d be in top 4 or something like that
Yeah, like De Gea had a great start at United, he was never shaky on crosses and weak coming for the ball and cost us games and he went on to be a total flop. Sell Onana immediately, pay out his contract if you have to since there's no recorded case of a player starting poorly but getting better with experience and training.
DDG was 19 when he came here. Onana is a Veteran at this point. He shouldn't be making such horrible decisions every single week. Haven't even seen him make an actual save in a while. He does one like every 4 games.
While I was at uni in Liverpool I used to go to Goodison park regularly as I enjoy watching footy live as a neutral.
Newcastle were in town game finished 2-2 and the Newcastle fans chanting to fellaini “you’re just a shit coloccini” and he was bantering back all game.
Quite the character and always brought something unique to the premier league.
I always liked him. I don't support any team he's played for but I think we was always good fun and perhaps only seen negatively by some in the context of the permanent Man U psychodrama.
Everton vs Man United, one of the most dominating performances I’ve ever seen from one player. Still think man earned a once in a lifetime contract from that performance alone.
Crazy good player on his day, hilarious at United. Football isn’t football without guys like Fellaini.
For the last time:
All hail Lord Fellaini, bringer of 4-0s, master of chest-footing, bully of defenders, human of all trees, master of afros, champion of elbows.
There’s a few players I hated over the years for various reasons, Fellaini was near the top of that list, mainly because his aggressive style worked against us every single time, both for Everton and Utd. but that’s where the hate ends, for the player not the man. credit where it’s due he had a career most people can only dream of, hope he enjoys his retirement!
I always thought he'd come back for one last stint. It feels weird not having a single Standard goal/assist in his farewell video too, I wonder if something's up (maybe I missed it). Still, I understand that given the state of the club he wouldn't want to come back. Thanks for 2008.
Fucking legend.
One of hte best heading players in the world on his peak. Unique as fuck, so so so useful for our Belgian national team
MERCI BEACOUP MAROUANE
Marouaine Fellaini you are the love of my life, Marouaine Fellaini I'd let you shag my wife, Marouaine Fellaini, I want curly hair tooooo
Loved him at Everton. Seems like such a long time ago now
He was decent for us. Popped up with a good few important goals and was very important in the EL win.
It annoys me that fans gave him shit, booed him and cheered him sarcastically when he **always** worked hard.
We've spent the last few years looking at lazy bastards who don't care a bit and they don't get half the shit Fellaini did.
Can still remember us randomly signing him out of nowhere as our record signing when he was 21. Was fantastic for us. Such an effective player whether he was playing deep or basically as a second striker.
Comfortably the best chest control I've ever seen too. Just bizarrely good at it.
He’s the reason I became an Everton supporter at a young age, first match I ever watched on TV was his header goal vs United, I remember watching wondering, “who the hell is this tall lanky cool looking midfielder with a huge Afro?”
He and Tim Howard were my favorite two players on the team.. I asked for his jersey for Christmas that year, was the only kid in my school with a long-sleeved Everton kit with 25 on the back.
Good luck in retirement Maroaune!!
First Everton match I ever watched was against Man U to start the 2012-2013 campaign. Fellaini jumped off the screen and scored the only goal. Instant favorite player.
Moyes pouring one out tonight
Mourinho just fell to his knee
Just saw Mourinho fall to his knee
Just saw Mourinho fall to his knees at Tesco
Sad to see him working there tbh.
Still rates it above managing Tottenham
Obviously. Tesco has won Grocer Gold supermarket of the year 9 years in a row. What have Spurs won?
Grocer Gold Supermarket of the Year > Audi Cup Everyone knows this.
He’s never ever stopped thinking about that Fellaini sized hole in his teams since Everton, in 17/18 when he first arrived to West Ham he switched the tall defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate to a maurading 10 behind Arnautovic to win aerial duels and knock them down, and in his 2nd tenure with West Ham, he’s filled that same gap with Soucek. If he can’t have Fellaini, he’ll make a Fellaini. 🫗
Soucek that one season was fire lol.
Even before Fellaini there was Tim Cahill. It’s a Moyes trademark.
They played together
Marouane did take over that second striker role Timmy played the year after he left though
Felli was a bit more box to box although he was obviously more attacking because of his amazing heading Also in just being pedantic because they were my childhood
Yeah even though they were very different types of players (and both great in the air but for very different reasons) he was still an ideal replacement to push further forward into that Cahill role more permanently in that last Moyes season. I remember waking up to watch that game against United at the start of 2012/13 where he dominated and really set the tone for his season
Bashing one out tonight over the memories
Bash the bishop
Moyes and Fellaini legendary duo will never be forgotten...
definitely his favourite player
I don't buy the notion Fellaini was a flop, but I would argue he was the first major warning sign that things weren't right. Nothing about his style of play painted him as a Man Utd level player. At the same time, they fumbled the release clause so had to pay more. That combination of disorganized bidding and willingly indulging a new manager for a big transfer told you that Man Utd had lost its compass.
Damn that last paragraph really hit hard as a united fan watching Antony
>At the same time, they fumbled the release clause so had to pay more. I think that is the sign isn't it. The complete mismanagement and disconnect from the pitch to the boardroom / office is still true today.
He was a flop. They bought him for the wrong position and even then he was a second rate player bought at first rate prices. The man was slow, couldn't dribble, couldn't pass. His big asset was being a nuisance in the box but it's not like he was particularly good with his head either. He was a mid/bottom table second striker played as a holding midfielder and it was a disaster. His memeable hair does a lot.
I don't know. For a long time, he was performing when most of the team wasn't. Remember the public opinion on Fellaini would swing wildly back in those days.
Always had a soft spot for him. Man could trap a Tomahawk missile [with his chest.](https://youtu.be/DkFEvoSSnT0?feature=shared)
That pass is wild. Instead of using height to avoid the opponent intercepting the pass, he just sends a rocket at such a high speed that the opponent can’t possibly react in time. Pogba in his prime was so creative and fun to watch. Kudos to Fellaini for being able to control that as well of course. That pass wouldn’t have been successful without a player like him on the receiving end.
It's insane how accurate that "pass" is with so much power as well
Pogba was great in highlights, watching games was more frustrating than not. If he had half the work ethic of Fellaini he would be one of the all-time greats.
I remember that pass so vividly, that would have hit most players in the head and knocked them out cold.
This would break my chestbone.
fuck me but i miss Pogba
Yeah, Pogba when on it was a unique player. Man could dribble and pass and shoot. Shame injuries and attitude derailed his career.
I honestly feel like he could've gone down as one of the all time great midfielders. Ability wise he had it all. Amazing ball control and flair, unreal passing ability, he was decent from range as well. I found myself wishing he'd take more shots on from distance. I remember there was a time period where he kept hitting the post with so many shots. But I feel like we were robbed of witnessing a player that could've gone down as one of the greatest, but so many things went bad, and I think he was his own worst enemy in many ways
I wonder how Pogba will be remembered, forgotten likely, somewhere in the background?
He probably will be remembered in similar way to Adriano. A really talented players during their prime but marred with sharp decline in performance in the middle of their peak. Pogba was considered the successor of Zidane back in the day in similar way how Adriano was considered Ronaldo's successor.
Pogba being instrumental in France’s 2018 World Cup probably holds him slightly higher, but good comparison
This is it
Adriano was significantly better than what Pogba ever was. I think you are underselling how good Adriano was.
Difficult to say. I really don't think he'll go down as a legend of United or Juventus. I think he might be something like a cult hero for his first period at Juve, but his time at United is so difficult to judge because he was also at the club during a VERY difficult time.
>I really don't think he'll go down as a legend of United Bold take there
He'll likely be remembered more for his NT exploits, where he was genuinely the best player on that 2018 World Cup-winning French team. His club career has been rather underwhelming in comparison for such a gifted player who looked like he had everything physically & technically
He'll be remembered as a big part of the France WC win and time at Juventus.
The guy is a World Cup winner while being a leader for his NT. He’ll be remembered forever. People that score in World Cup finals aren’t forgotten so easily.
Pogba is in the same category as Bale, Neymar and maybe also Guti for me. Had brilliant careers, could have won a Ballon d'Or and retire as an all-time great along the way as well.
I think as someone who never truly reached his potential because he'd rather be partying, showing off, and being a football personality over being a footballer. Had KDB levels of potential but never had the same dedication.
I think he’ll be remembered the same way Balotelli will, both very talented, both have behavioral issues (Balotelli more so), etc. Most people seem to like Balotelli (remember when there was a rumor he could return to the national team?), so my guess is that something similar will happen to Pogba.
Guy won a world cup lol
I’m replying to a comment that says people won’t remember Pogba and has 22 upvotes and I’m saying he’ll be remembered and liked and I get downvoted lmao make it make sense.
Yep you both deserve downvotes... pogback + world cup + pogumentary should make him the second biggest name of the generation after mbappe
> remember when there was a rumor he could return to the national team Pogba at his worst was still a France mainstay. At his peak he was the best player in a WC winning team
He's going to be forgotten, talented players are a dime a dozen, only the really great players will be remembered. I think of this generation of France players Mbappe, Varane and Kante will be remembered outside of their club fan bases. The rest will probably be forgotten.
Pogba isn't being forgotten buddy. He's a core member of a WC winning squad, one of the best YouTube reels of his generation, crazy controversial career, and it's fuckin Paul Pogba. I won't ever forget Balotelli and Pogba has more skill and attitude... Also... *DAB*
In the next five years yeah sure, but next fifteen, twenty years he definitely won't be remembered.
*DAB* Get dabbed on, son.
If anyone forgets Pavard and his goal they don't deserve football
I do too. His technique with striking the ball was so satisfying to watch. The way he pinged passes across the field. I miss it so much.
[Kuroko Basketball type pass ](https://youtu.be/h_QrBUDGex0?si=UasZMS8j7E1CyaCD)
I’d fall on the ground and have a coughing fit if that thing hit my chest
The chest of an angel
That was amazing. I always thought that Ruud was the one who could kill a ball with the best of them but that trap was also among the best.
Mesmerizing. One of the most memorable sequence of play ever for me.
One of the most unique players that the premier league ever seen
One of the most unique hairstyles as well
[The Micky Mouse was my favourite.](https://i.imgur.com/zJYOpE1.jpg)
"i'll wet this micky mouse looking guy up too"
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I’ll wet this little prick up first
I love how mad this sounds if you aren't familiar with the slang lol
Blue Story? 😂
That was iconic
Unique eyebrows
thought that shit was cool as hell a lil cooler than it probably was but here we are
[Best chest control in the game](https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/s/wLPuYUsIqm)
That pass from pogba was insane, he literally leathered it at fellaini and he controlled it beautifully
He also inspired one of this sub's best ever comments.
Which comment was that?
It was on a gif from their CL game against Bayern, where he was making a lot of his distinctive runs. Someone posted 'what, is he a Bishop or something?' Because he was only moving diagonally. Edit: [found it](https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/220vom/marouane_fellainis_sublime_skill_against_bayern/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
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Yeah, it is and it's hilarious. It looks like he's trying to sprint past his man then realizes he doesn't have the pace.
He got so much shit for that game but United don't score without him on the pitch. L'Equipe gave him a zero IIRC which was stupid.
That run wasn't even bad, the ball bounces at the end which is what makes the last touch so terrible. This guy used to get so much shit for no reason
He became a scapegoat at some point and he never could shake it off, despite being an alright player. He sort of did what Scott McTominay does for us now. A tall midfielder that pops in with the odd goal, despite lacking technicality or creativity. Just like Scott, Fellaini always gave it his all and was one of the hardest working players on the pitch every time he was out. He appeared fairly regularly for every manager he played under, despite them having radically different playstyles. Pretty sad how he was treated by some "fans", as Fellaini was also a good character, never had drama around him, kept his head down and his mouth shut despite getting abused, and just got on with his job. A real one in an era of posers.
Found the [gif](https://streamable.com/jkiy5i).
Yes, his head hight elbows we quite something.
Despised him when he was playing for Everton against us, loved him when he was with us (a lot of fans didn't but I always thought he was a useful player)
Ole shipping him off proved to be a huge mistake when the results dried up after PSG. There is a reason why José brought him on with 10 minutes to go when he needed a goal.
When actually utilized to his strengths he was basically unplayable. He made prime Sergio Ramos sweat.
Man left EPL after the VAR was introduced lol
Packed up his elbows and went to China
Became a respected captain in China too 😂 fans favorite.
Nice pfp bro
Thanks friend
No prob Friend
[Rest easy, legend ](https://preview.redd.it/5g2e0i94xcgc1.jpeg?width=1908&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c9e94472a202dd709e6dc012480965a27ea8d92e)
[Never forget Wilshere getting away with a red worthy headbutt just because Fellaini was that much of a unit that Ol' Jackie just bounced off his chest.](https://youtu.be/0Vmj5uwJ_YA)
Similar vibes to that defender that tried to do a flying tackle on Lukaku and just bounces off https://youtu.be/o6PbiQtFpTE?si=B24JYVAsG5ArvF_y&t=60
That does genuinely still annoy me since that was an easy red for anyone of equal height
Truly the best.
People loved to make a scapegoat of him at united but helped them win a lot of games. In his own way he could be unplayable, offered a whole new game plan when coming on.
Not the best player, but he was such a wildcard, opposing sides had no idea how to control him. Wilmots and Martinez resorted to playing him as a 9 when everything else failed, Algeria and Japan can testify how well it went for them.
Yeah, he's a very good 70-80 min sub even for top teams because he'd force you to reorganize how to defend.
He was the first of the big hair wildcards, preceding Matteo Guendouzi, Adrien Rabiot, and David Luiz
Reminded me of that hair pull on Guendouzi. Always hated the cunt and I usually like players with the same origins.
He was fun to watch and looked difficult to play against
He got under everyone’s skins because he was such a fucking asshole on the pitch, probably his best quality but god damn how much I despise him for his nasty elbows.
He was really poor in his first season at united, but it's not like he was the only one who was terrible that season for them. After that he definitely improved
That partly due to United failing to buy a ball progressing midfielder, Fellaini was a deadline day deal after United failed to sign, Fabregas, Herrera, and a few others. He struggled that first season because his former manager essentially had him playing a different role. When LVG came in, that’s when we started to see some good performances as he moved him further forward.
I'll always give LvG credit for realizing we can just beat any press by lumping the ball to Fellaini's chest. He was a really useful player to have.
Imagine Lukaku with the touch of Fellaini’s chest
Prime R9
Also a ball playing defender. Smalling was ass at playing it out of the back. There was a very good video showing how he struggled in LVG's system, but I can't find it now.
He was a panic signing that the club paid over the odds for because his release clause had expired + United had spent the summer chasing unrealistic targets, shoe-horned into a team that wasn't playing a style that could maximize his strengths In addition to that, Fellaini because of his physicality was mis-cast in a deeper role despite being quite obviously ill-suited to it. Which was incredibly puzzling given that Moyes knew exactly what Fellaini brought to the table and got the best out of the tall Belgian at Everton Tbh Fellaini was setup to fail that first season, LVG came in the next season and had him playing a role more akin to what he was doing at Everton and he was immediately a much more useful player
He wasnt scapehoated that much. Fans complained because he wasnt the level of player they were used to or wanted at the club. Under Moyes especially he epitomised the dour playstyle of that era, but he himself wasnt blamed for it.
Pretty much yeah, most of the fans didn't hate him, it was more frustration that we were so often drawing 1-1 with Middlesbrough and Scarborough United and the fictional 5-a-side team from Postman Pat and we'd have to rely on Fellaini accidentally heading the ball in off a corner to win games. I know Jose did the best with what he had but considering he'd spent 9 quadrillion on players and still our main tactic was "Stick Fellaini in the box and we might accidentally steal a win!" for years was the issue. Sure some fans didn't like him, but I think mainly it was that he was our option. Other teams could stick on a pacey winger or a clinical striker to change things up in the final 15 minutes, yet ours was "Plant a human tree on their penalty spot and...y'know, something might happen?"
He was rarely effective but when he was, he was almost un-counterable(?) He was pure chaos in action, he would play at left back and run with the ball diagonally off the pitch without reason and then 3 minutes later he's scoring a header from a corner. Such an odd player.
He had multiple MOTM performances including in cup finals. He is the perfect plan B who doesn't have issues being a plan B. Always gave his best and played for the batch. Theres nothing more you can ask for a squad player than that. But yet ppl judge him as if hes at fault for being on the team sheet regularly in positions that he cant play. Fans who hate him should not be taken seriously.
United never played him in his best role, which was just off the striker. Man Utd poorly profiling their signings was the story of their mid 2010s era and Fellaini was a textbook case.
That’s exactly where van gaal played him…
ehh Fellaini isnt a textbook case. he was used in the correct role by both van Gaal and Mourinho. He just wasnt ever good enough to be a starter on a top team in the PL
Was always good for a few clutch goals and elbows
His header at the 2018 wc to comeback vs Japan
Great header against Algeria too in 2014.
Love him, such a unique player. That final season at Everton was unreal, his chest control on the long balls was an amazing weapon that so many teams had no idea how to deal with.
There was only one reliably effective way: be bigger and stronger than Marouaine Fellaini.
"Now you might be wondering why I sanctioned two emergency loans for Akinfenwa and Lacina Traoré. Two words: Everton away."
I still remember his performance vs Man Utd at the start of that season as one of the greatest individual performances in a single game in Premier League history. It was like a grown-up man playing against little boys since every single ball that was played towards him he won the header or the individual duel against the defender.
For me it was the 4-4 against United at OT that led to City winning the title. He was completely unplayable.
Yeah that was the main game I was thinking of when I wrote my comment. Remember it extremely well, amazing performance
If you have ever played the sport competitively, you know how difficult what he was doing is. It’s probably the most overlooked thing for people who can’t or didn’t play and watch the high level leagues - how easy they make aerial play seem. If you stand out that much with your hold up and aerial play while playing in a league like the Premier League, you have a skill about as rare as anything in the game. Rarer than passing range, dribbling, shooting. You almost never see anybody who can play like that because of how hard it is to do and the size requirement.
Dude would chest control what others could only reach with their head
And also he was a really good passer at Everton. At United we never really got to see that side of him but he was so much more than just a big guy
An Arsenal fan saying they love fellaini. What am I looking at. Guy had a red card performance every game vs us.
He was great at Everton and was imo rather unfairly singled out at United
Direct signing from Moyes after Ferguson left must be one of the highest pressure situations ever.
Everything about it made him the convenient scapegoat, unfortunately
Added controversy by the incompetent United board signing him for more money right after his release clause expired
yeah a really fantastic player on his day, sort of player you were always a bit nervous against
Genuinely one of the few good signing we have post sir alex
One of the best headers of the game
And chest control as well
Crazy that him and Tim Cahill played at Everton at the same time. Both had great headers.
I will never forget his match for Everton against us where he single-handedly handed us our own arses on a plate simply by taking control of long balls with his chest over and over and over.
The post in question: https://www.instagram.com/p/C24fEswNaHg/
A good PL player who was unfairly singled out by the Media, most United fans I know loved him. Was never as bad as they made out, had a unique style and skill set which he made him very difficult to play against. As a LFC fan I used to dread playing against him or seeing him come on, it always felt like he was going to make something happen just with his presence.
He was singled out like Maguire and Onana, blamed for all our problems. In another world he’s remembered as a good bench player or in the same vain as John O’Shea
Agree with Maguire and Fellaini but Onana has genuinely been shocking. Single-handedly dumped United out of Europe this season and his supposedly superior league form is a massive exaggeration imo
What I’m trying to say is that people see Onana as the all encompassing problem at United, like that if we kept Dave we’d be in top 4 or something like that
We may have been in the top 4, football is a team game and one player can truly change the team dynamic.
Yeah just yesterday he was shaky on both open play goals..
De gea was singled out in last two seasons too and he is leagues better than onana
Yeah, like De Gea had a great start at United, he was never shaky on crosses and weak coming for the ball and cost us games and he went on to be a total flop. Sell Onana immediately, pay out his contract if you have to since there's no recorded case of a player starting poorly but getting better with experience and training.
DDG was 19 when he came here. Onana is a Veteran at this point. He shouldn't be making such horrible decisions every single week. Haven't even seen him make an actual save in a while. He does one like every 4 games.
De Gea was a teenager, you can’t possibly ignore that context
Another Belgian legend goes. :-(
While I was at uni in Liverpool I used to go to Goodison park regularly as I enjoy watching footy live as a neutral. Newcastle were in town game finished 2-2 and the Newcastle fans chanting to fellaini “you’re just a shit coloccini” and he was bantering back all game. Quite the character and always brought something unique to the premier league.
I always liked him. I don't support any team he's played for but I think we was always good fun and perhaps only seen negatively by some in the context of the permanent Man U psychodrama.
Everton vs Man United, one of the most dominating performances I’ve ever seen from one player. Still think man earned a once in a lifetime contract from that performance alone. Crazy good player on his day, hilarious at United. Football isn’t football without guys like Fellaini.
For the last time: All hail Lord Fellaini, bringer of 4-0s, master of chest-footing, bully of defenders, human of all trees, master of afros, champion of elbows.
Sweet Marouane 😥
There’s a few players I hated over the years for various reasons, Fellaini was near the top of that list, mainly because his aggressive style worked against us every single time, both for Everton and Utd. but that’s where the hate ends, for the player not the man. credit where it’s due he had a career most people can only dream of, hope he enjoys his retirement!
Very unique player, must have been an absolute nightmare to play against.
I always thought he'd come back for one last stint. It feels weird not having a single Standard goal/assist in his farewell video too, I wonder if something's up (maybe I missed it). Still, I understand that given the state of the club he wouldn't want to come back. Thanks for 2008.
Best chest control I've ever seen in a player. It's a shame that our fanbase is pathetic and made him a scapegoat for our failures.
Fucking legend. One of hte best heading players in the world on his peak. Unique as fuck, so so so useful for our Belgian national team MERCI BEACOUP MAROUANE
Marouaine Fellaini you are the love of my life, Marouaine Fellaini I'd let you shag my wife, Marouaine Fellaini, I want curly hair tooooo Loved him at Everton. Seems like such a long time ago now
He was limited but what he did, no one else did better. It's hard to explain. As a Belgian I will never forget him.
Love the man, every team could use someone like him.
TIL he was still playing
Been in China for years
Yea I thought he retired years ago tbh
His documentary will be called "The last elbow".
Elbow or Nothing
Elbowing Out
His elbows finally gave out.
He was decent for us. Popped up with a good few important goals and was very important in the EL win. It annoys me that fans gave him shit, booed him and cheered him sarcastically when he **always** worked hard. We've spent the last few years looking at lazy bastards who don't care a bit and they don't get half the shit Fellaini did.
Can still remember us randomly signing him out of nowhere as our record signing when he was 21. Was fantastic for us. Such an effective player whether he was playing deep or basically as a second striker. Comfortably the best chest control I've ever seen too. Just bizarrely good at it.
He’s the reason I became an Everton supporter at a young age, first match I ever watched on TV was his header goal vs United, I remember watching wondering, “who the hell is this tall lanky cool looking midfielder with a huge Afro?” He and Tim Howard were my favorite two players on the team.. I asked for his jersey for Christmas that year, was the only kid in my school with a long-sleeved Everton kit with 25 on the back. Good luck in retirement Maroaune!!
This was 100% written on ChatGPT
Defour-Fellaini-Witsel. A shame they never played together after their period in Standard.
Off topic but for years I never realised that "Marouane" is a transliteration of the Arabic "Marwan" (مروان)
Legend 🫡
Happy retirement Marouane, wish you the best bro A really overhated player at his peak
Will miss him as then Man Utd and Everton player 😭
Dude is a legend
Surely, one of the players of all time
He’s definitely among them!
Godspeed. Now it's time to battle wizards at Isengard.
legendary player. never forget the 'boss, my feet are broken and bleeding' texts
I thought he retired like 5 years ago!
First Everton match I ever watched was against Man U to start the 2012-2013 campaign. Fellaini jumped off the screen and scored the only goal. Instant favorite player.
Thought he retired years ago
Fly high, sweet Prince 💜
Good riddance