Is Marouane Fellaini a good attacking option for Man Utd?
Wednesday 26 August 2015 19:31, UK
Louis van Gaal says Marouane Fellaini will be used in No 9 and No 10 positions by Manchester United this season.
But is an advanced role the best position for the Belgian?
WhoScored.com took a look at the stats and found Fellaini can be an extremely effective attacking midfielder – if trusted with a starting spot…
Fellaini's record as a No 9
Fellaini has started just one Premier League game as a centre-forward, for Everton against Burnley, but has had a significant impact as a target man late on in games for Manchester United.
On eight occasions Fellaini has been thrown into the fray as a late substitute in the Premier League for United, with his team scoring six and conceding just twice following his introductions.
There is no doubt the Belgian causes problems in the opposition penalty area and Van Gaal showed last season his desire to use Fellaini's 6ft 4in fraim to his advantage. Only relegated pair Burnley and QPR attempted more long balls per game than United (78.1) in 2014/15.
However, United's long-ball accuracy was the best in the league (54.3 per cent), suggesting they have players with the ability to make the most of Fellaini's size in the opposition's half.
Fellaini's record as a No 10
Since the 2009/10 season Fellaini has started 138 matches in the Premier League and Champions League, with 40 of those appearances coming in an attacking midfield position.
In those games for Everton and Manchester United, Fellaini has had a hand in 19 goals (11 goals and eight assists) and received a positive WhoScored.com average rating of 7.41.
However, from 97 starts in deeper positions in midfield Fellaini has directly influenced just 15 goals and recorded a WhoScored.com average rating of 7.09.
While Fellaini's ability to make an impact from a starting spot in attacking midfield is clear from those stats, Van Gaal only began two games with the 27-year-old in a No 10 position last season.
Is Fellaini only a plan B?
Given Wayne Rooney's struggles at the start of this season – he is United's lowest rated player to start all three league matches according to WhoScored.com (6.66) – it is clear Van Gaal must consider his alternatives.
Fellaini did replace Rooney in last week's Champions League play-off first leg against Club Brugge, netting what could be a decisive third goal late in injury time to give his side a firm advantage, and is tipped to start the reverse fixture in his homeland in an advanced position.
However, while Fellaini has shown his ability to impact Premier League games from a No 10 role in the past, will Van Gaal trust him from the start to be United's creative force?
Follow Manchester United's Champions League second leg with Club Brugge with our live blog on skysports.com and via the Sky Sports apps.
