'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Fellaini’s spell at Old Trafford has been inextricably linked with Moyes’ struggles. Branded a scapegoat for the club’s failure in the summer transfer market, the towering Belgian arrived on deadline day for £27.5 million has made just nine league appearances and completed 90 minutes on just three occasions.
Marouane Fellaini
Granted he has struggled with a string of niggly injuries, but he was the man charged with providing the thrust and drive that has been lacking from United’s midfield not just this season, but the last three. Moyes knows Fellaini better than any other player at the club, having worked closely with him at Everton. During his Goodison Park days the 26-year-old was Moyes’ talisman and the Red Devils boss needs to coerce such displays out of Fellaini once more.
He scored 11 goals last season but has created just one chance for United this term. Moyes did not inherit Fellaini, he was the only significant summer addition and his continued failure to spark into life will always go against Moyes.
The mercurial Spaniard is one of the best players in the Premier League, but he has not come cheap. Some suggest Moyes will receive huge funds to spend on the squad in the summer, but it is clear he has already been granted such funds.
Juan Mata
The Scot has broken the club’s record transfer to sign the former Chelsea man for £37.5 million, while the fee for Fellaini is in at number five on the biggest figures paid out by the Red Devils. When Mata arrived he was supposed to be the solution to Moyes’ problems, despite the obvious fact that he wanted to leave Chelsea in pursuit of game time in his preferred central role behind the striker, which is precisely where a certain Mr.Rooney likes to spend his time.
Although Moyes has a trident of talent at his disposal in Mata, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie he needs to figure out how to get the best out of them before the end of the season or the unsettled Dutchman could seek an exit. United still boast an attacking line-up that can rival the rest of the league but tweaks in his formation and tactics are needed. United have lacked an identity this season and Moyes must push the emphasis away from the flanks and take up a much braver and bolder stance if he is to avoid the chop come May.
