Marouane Fellaini was picked by Jose Mourinho to start against Burnley on Sunday. Before kick-off, eyebrows were raised by Manchester United fans.
However, just minutes into the Premier League clash at Turf Moor, it became relatively easy to see why the Belgium international was included. His height, physical presence and aerial ability was massively important.
According to Nemanja Matic, that’s exactly why Fellaini was selected by Jose Mourinho. That tactical nous, game-planning and managerial prowess worked excellently, but alas, the media haven’t been crediting the self-proclaimed Special One for that – just as you’d expect.
“We knew where they could cause us problems with the long balls,” Matic said, per The Express.
“That is why (Marouane) Fellaini played close to our defence, to stop the long balls and I think this performance shows that how we need to play football and we still can compete for the title.”
Fellaini is an asset. I’m fairly certain I was in the minority by wanting him to stick around this summer. He deserved his new contract. Under Mourinho, the midfielder has only improved.
In situations like this, particularly tricky away games, Fellaini’s style is so vital. Watford away is next up after the international break, don’t be surprised to see the 30-year-old included in the line-up for that one. In my opinion, he thoroughly deserves it.
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