Manchester United Target Marouane Fellaini Is Going to Start Looking Pretty Good

DURING a summer when Manchester United have been open in their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas, Marouane Fellaini has been left looking like the toy nobody wants.

With names like Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara and Luka Modric mentioned as possible arrivals, Fellaini has felt like a last resort.

It's assumed, because of their Everton links, that David Moyes would just have to click his fingers and the 25-year-old Belgian would come running. 

It's taken for granted that he would jump at the chance to play Champions League football at Old Trafford, never mind how late the call comes.

It's clear to most that United are desperately short of a central midfielder. 

Anderson is yet to show he can be consistent enough to be relied upon regularly. There is no date for Darren Fletcher's return to training as he battles a stomach condition. Nick Powell, Adnan Januzaj and Davide Petrucci aren't ready to make the step up into the first-team.

That leaves just Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley. 

Fellaini hasn't got the technical ability of Fabregas. He hasn't got Thiago's quick feet or Modric's range of passing. 

But he has got qualities of his own, ones that Moyes would find useful as he heads into his first season as United manager.

At 6'4", Fellaini is big and physical. His style might not win any beauty pageants but it's effective, just ask the United defenders who couldn't stop him scoring the winner at Goodison Park last season.

There is an argument that, because of Fellaini's size and strength, he changes the way a team plays. 

Whether he plays behind the striker, as he did on occasion at Everton, or in midfield, his height is certainly an advantage in certain situations. But it doesn't mean United will suddenly turn into Wimbledon of the 90s with him in the team.

With Fabregas seemingly content at Barcelona, time is running out if Moyes hopes to add another midfielder before the transfer window shuts. 

And in a perfect world, Fabregas would sign on the dotted line and Wayne Rooney would decide that his future lay at Old Trafford, too.

And while it's admirable that Moyes has decided to shoot for the stars with his transfer wish-list, it would be a brave decision to enter the new season with the squad he has.

Fellaini clearly isn't Moyes' first choice. But as the transfer window comes to an end and the lights come on, like the girl who's still on the dance floor at 3am, he's going to start looking better and better.

DURING a summer when Manchester United have been open in their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas, Marouane Fellaini has been left looking like the toy nobody wants.

With names like Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara and Luka Modric mentioned as possible arrivals, Fellaini has felt like a last resort.

It's assumed, because of their Everton links, that David Moyes would just have to click his fingers and the 25-year-old Belgian would come running. 

It's taken for granted that he would jump at the chance to play Champions League football at Old Trafford, never mind how late the call comes.

It's clear to most that United are desperately short of a central midfielder. 

Anderson is yet to show he can be consistent enough to be relied upon regularly. There is no date for Darren Fletcher's return to training as he battles a stomach condition. Nick Powell, Adnan Januzaj and Davide Petrucci aren't ready to make the step up into the first-team.

That leaves just Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley. 

Fellaini hasn't got the technical ability of Fabregas. He hasn't got Thiago's quick feet or Modric's range of passing. 

But he has got qualities of his own, ones that Moyes would find useful as he heads into his first season as United manager.

At 6ft 4ins, Fellaini is big and physical. His style might not win any beauty pageants but it's effective, just ask the United defenders who couldn't stop him scoring the winner at Goodison Park last season.

There is an argument that, because of Fellaini's size and strength, he changes the way a team plays. 

Whether he plays behind the striker, as he did on occasion at Everton, or in midfield, his height is certainly an advantage in certain situations. But it doesn't mean United will suddenly turn into Wimbledon of the 90s with him in the team.

With Fabregas seemingly content at Barcelona, time is running out if Moyes hopes to add another midfielder before the transfer window shuts. 

And in a perfect world, Fabregas would sign on the dotted line and Wayne Rooney would decide that his future lay at Old Trafford, too.

And while it's admirable that Moyes has decided to shoot for the stars with his transfer wish-list, it would be a brave decision to enter the new season with the squad he has.

Fellaini clearly isn't Moyes' first choice. But as the transfer window comes to an end and the lights come on, like the girl who's still on the dance floor at 3am, he's going to start looking better and better.