The circumstance of Marouane Fellaini’s panic last-minute arrival in summer 2013 means it would never work out for both parties, but he could have been the difference on United’s frustrating afternoon in St. James Park.
The midfielder has been hit-and-miss in his United’s stint. At times, he provides the physical threat in the midfield, but he often becomes a liability if the ball is on the ground.
His 6-foot-4 appearance is what United appreciates him most, considering the team has been lacking an aerial threat since the post-Ferguson era. United fans want Fellaini to be sold as much as welcome his appearance in the desperate situations. Sunday afternoon was one of them.
Similar to the defeat against Spurs two weeks ago, United’s lack of passing option in the back was exposed. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are as decent when the ball is on their feet as Fellaini, while Paul Pogba looked lost in Newcastle’s high press.
United was forced to play a lot of long balls. Romelu Lukaku, though he worked hard, was often isolated. While Newcastle’s high press occasionally let it exposed when it didn’t secure the second ball, United wasn’t a regular aerial threat to force Rafa Benitez to instruct his team to sit deep.
Fellaini has been used as an alternative option when things don’t go to United’s plan. As long as the ball is pumped to the box, the 30-year-old poses as a potential goalscoring threat. His presence also forces the opposing team to push back its defensive line, buying time for his teammates to settle for a perfect delivery.
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With the Belgian getting sidelined following a knee surgery, as well as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s recurring problem in his ligament, Mourinho ran out of alternative options. Scott McTominay, who is listed at 6-foot-4, was thrown in in the final minutes without making a decent impact. In the end, it was Smalling who was sent as an emergency striker, but time and luck ran out for Red Devils against a brave Newcastle.
Newcastle still employs its high pressing game until the final 10 minutes, targetting Michael Carrick who replaced Pogba to offer a deep passing outlet. Had Fellaini and Ibrahimovic been presented, Newcastle wouldn’t have been brave enough to leave them comfortable in the 18-yard-box.
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Last season, United went on a 25-match unbeaten run, in which at least three to four times the streak was saved by United’s bombarding crosses in desperate situations. Although questions will be asked to Mourinho’s team selection, the coach can blame for the lack of his premier alternative option.