Tactical analysis of how David Moyes can use Marouane Fellaini

Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United arrives with Manager David Moyes after signing for the club at Aon Training Complex on September 2, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Getty Images)

After David Moyes took over the reigns at Old Trafford from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, it was told to him by the club owners and the board members that, unlike the situation at Everton, he could go for any player he wanted to sign in the summer irrespective of their price. It was clear, the club wanted to gift a marquee signing to their new manager.

As a result, United made all the right noises which included the ambitious pursuits of Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas, toying with the idea of re-signing Cristiano Ronaldo, trying to hijack Gareth Bale’s move to Real Madrid, and also looking at the possibility of moving for Robert Lewandowski. All the attempts however, hit a roadblock somewhere or the other.

As the transfer window shut close at 11 pm on September 2, it was only Marouane Fellaini from Everton, who finally managed to sneak through the door at Old Trafford, to put an end to a dismal transfer period for Manchester United.

And although United fans are still fretting over the various possibilities of what could have been, coupled with the shock transfer of Mesut Ozil to Arsenal, they should be more than happy to move on as Fellaini still seems to be the need of the hour in United’s midfield engine room.

In fact, no United fan needs an introduction to the afro-sporting Belgian after having been at the receiving end on more than a few occasions from the powerful midfielder – the winner that he scored for Everton against United on the opening day of last season, and also the volley that he scored in that infamous 4-4 draw at Old Trafford towards the end of the 2012 season that eventually cost United the title. Those moments will ring loud in the memories of United fans.

Its his goal scoring ability and versatility, coupled with his combative nature of play in midfield, that makes him a perfect man to plug that gap in the United midfield that has been quite evident for a couple of years now.

A tall, powerful, and versatile midfielder, who can be used as a holding player, in a box-to-box role or in a false 9 position behind the main striker, would offer a number of tactical options to David Moyes, who himself had used Fellaini in all these positions to great effect at Everton.

At Manchester United however, he can be used more in a 4-2-3-1 formation as a double pivot in the midfield alongside Michael Carrick, to act as a shield in front of the back-four wherein he can play a similar role like Yaya Toure at Manchester City.

Unlike Carrick’s current midfield partners, Fellaini’s physical presence and combative skills would be quite handy in breaking up the opposition’s play in the midfield, and when in possession, he would be allowed to move forward to make late runs into the box and getting on the end of loose balls to score some crucial goals. This is something which United have been missing since the departure of their inspirational captain Roy Keane.

Besides lessening United’s over-dependence on Carrick, it would also allow a more creative player, someone like Wayne Rooney or Shinji Kagawa, to play in front of Carrick and Fellaini by fully asserting their authority into the attacking play without having to bother about tracking back – where Fellaini’s box-to-box role would play a crucial role in United’s tactical set up.

What Fellaini can offer United, which no other creative midfielder like Luka Modric or Mesut Ozil can, is a perfect combination of technique, strength and versatility. Besides playing a box-to-box role, he can also play as a deep lying play-maker, something he has done in recent Everton games, where he often fits in almost as a third centre-back when in possession. This role could be quite effective in tough away matches both in Europe as well as domestically.

Moreover, in games where United find it difficult to break down teams, or when they need a late equaliser or a winner, Fellaini can be moved further forward where he can act as a perfect focal point upfront for long balls coming in from midfield or defence. He, as he has shown several times playing for Everton, is very capable of bringing those long balls down, flicking it on or holding up the play to let others move into the game, and thus, provide a different threat altogether. This is similar to the tactics what Chelsea used so effectively with Didier Drogba during Jose Mourinho’s first title winning stint at Chelsea.

Although Manchester United won last season at a canter, majorly due to their incredible firepower, their midfield frailties were there for everyone to see and exploit. And with all of United’s nearest rivals getting stronger over the summer, the champions couldn’t have afforded to go on with this for another season.

It has been a position of weakness that has gone unresolved for quite a number of seasons , and now finally, the club has taken a step in the right direction by bringing in Marouane Fellaini.

Mesut Ozil, or any other creative midfielder, no doubt would have been a more charismatic addition to the squad, but in truth, it was the overall package of Marouane Fellaini that Manchester United really needed to retain their Premier League crown.