Maroune Fellaini wants to surpass Roy Keane's achievements

Maroune Fellaini after being unveiled at Manchester United

Manchester United new-boy Maroune Fellaini hopes to surpass the achievements of legendary ex-player Roy Keane and become the heart of the clubs midfield. ESPN FC reports.

United boss David Moyes confessed at Fellainis unveiling on Friday that he had delayed signing the player from Everton in the hope of securing the transfer of left-back Leighton Baines from the Toffees as well.

“Roy Keane was an aggressive player who could win every ball. Maybe I can do this as well,” Fellaini said. “I can win the ball. I can clear the ball. I can play clean. The manager must decide where I play but I want to play defensive midfield. In the past they have had (Eric) Cantona, Keane, (David) Beckham. I hope (I can do it too). I will work hard for this.”

The 25-year-old feared that his move to United would fall through due to the long waiting period.

“With the chairman at Everton you never know,” he said. “Sometimes I think there is no chance for me to join Manchester United. But in the end I was so happy because the chairman accepted the deal.”

The Belgian international personally submitted a transfer request to Everton boss Roberto Martinez and let go of around £4 million of his wages so that he could play for the Red Devils.

“I talked with the manager,” he said. “It was a big opportunity for me to join one of the biggest clubs in the world. I want to win trophies. I play football for this. With Manchester United I have a big chance to win something.

“The fee is not my problem. Whether it is £25 million, £30 million, £20 million. Expensive or not. In football there is always a situation where some people don’t like you or your quality. I don’t care about this. I just want to play well for the team.

“I already know it is quicker than Everton. They are a great club but Manchester United are a big team. But I am happy. I like the intensity. Now I just want to play.”

David Moyes spoke in support of the clubs transfer business after United had come under fire for engaging in transfer activity at the eleventh hour.

“We had chosen to do it the way we did because we wanted to try and get Leighton Baines and we didn’t want to give up on that until the last minute,” Moyes said.

“We felt the best way to do that was to try and keep the two deals together. Only at the last minute did we split them.

“They talk about the great Belgium team but every time I go to see Belgium, I always come away thinking Marouane is the best player.

“Marouane is very noticeable for many reasons. He can play several roles and I needed that. We have a busy schedule coming up. We want to be able to play different ways in different games.

“Marouane is now a mature player, who has got better as he has gone along. He has also scored a fair weight of goals in the Premier League, which is always important. He wouldn’t want to say it here but he was desperate to join Manchester United.

“He knew this was a big opportunity and he wasn’t ready to let it go.”

Fellani is expected to make his Manchester United debut on Saturday against Crystal Palace.