Tactical Analysis: What Fellaini would bring to Manchester United?

Fellaini would be a real dynamite for Manchester United in the Midfield

The news that David Moyes is going to be the Manchester United manager next season has only fuelled speculation that some of Everton’s star performers might leave Goodison Park and follow Moyes to Manchester United. Marouane Fellaini has as such been linked with a potential move to the Champions. Fellaini has been in fine form this season for Everton, but would be a viable signing for United?

Where is Fellaini’s best position?
Many people believe Fellaini to be a potential defensive midfielder for their respective clubs, but in truth he has been most effective for Everton as a
second striker this season, scoring eleven times in the process and being an all-round nuance when playing off of a main striker. 27 of Fellaini’s 30 appearances this season have come as a second striker or attacking midfielder with just three coming as a central/deeper midfield player, as such we should view Fellaini as a potential replacement/alternative to Wayne Rooney (if he moves on) rather than as a partner for Michael Carrick at the base of United’s midfield. Below is a look at Fellaini’s action areas from Everton’s 3-1 victory over Reading, the last time Fellaini scored in the Premier League:

Fellaini spent his time in the final third of the pitch, spending very little of the game in the more defensive areas of the pitch. Fellaini was operating as a second striker playing off Jelavic (as he has done throughout the season).

 Despite having 18.70% of his play in the sort of middle area of the pitch Fellaini made just one tackle in this game which further points to the more advanced and freer role he has when playing off of a striker. His main strength was utilized excellently as he won 11 out of 16 headed duels. When Fellaini operates in this role he is usually a target for long balls, winning headers and laying it off to his team-mates.

Fellaini as a holding/deep midfielder

Fellaini has only played in this deeper role on three occasions this season as stated above. That is not to say that he cannot be utilized here. Fellaini played as a central midfielder in the sides recent 0-0 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates which vaguely kept their hopes of a top four finish alive (at the time).

As we can see above in this fixture Fellaini was much more disciplined sitting in front of the back four and breaking up the play. In contrast to the Reading fixture Fellaini made six tackles and four interceptions in a very efficient performance. Fellaini also enjoyed an 84% pass completion which without being outstanding is still respectable, especially in such a tight game.

Where would he fit in at United?

As we can see Fellaini is relatively versatile and whilst probably better as the second striker/attacking midfielder he can play at the base of the midfield. That being said, whether he’d be a success at United or not remains to be seen given the contrasting style in which they play. Fellaini’s main drawback is a slight lack of technical quality (compared to say Carrick at the base of the United midfield or Kagawa as the attacking midfielder) his pass accuracy has averaged out at just 79% this season which would be very low in the United squad.

Fellaini can be prone to giving the ball away in dangerous areas which would not really suit United if he was utilized as a central midfielder. Not only that, but Michael Carrick, United’s best centre-mid is not the most mobile player and thus would be better served with a more mobile central midfielder alongside him.

 Fellaini has many positive attributes but he is not particularly quick or agile and as such United could get over-run if both players started (particularly against the better sides).

Fellaini’s propensity to give away fouls is also a concern with the Belgian having committed 78 fouls this season, equating to 2.7 per game making him the most prolific fouler in the league. Whilst this can be effective in breaking up play it can make him prone to picking up cards with him having received 8 yellow this season.

As an attacking midfielder his lack of mobility will also be an option given that United play very fluid transitions particularly with Rooney or Kagawa moving in and out of the lines between the oppositions midfield and defence.

Fellaini is more robust in his approach than nuanced and as such would not be as fluid in doing this as the aforementioned play-makers who are better equipped for the style of play used by United.

 Of course Moyes could opt to shift United’s playing style and bring Fellaini in as a potential squad player given that he could realistically play up front, in attacking midfield or as a central midfielder. If Rooney stays his signature appears unlikely and the club would be best off targeting a more mobile central midfielder to partner Michael Carrick.

Source: Think Football