Manchester United Transfer News: Marouane Fellaini Key for New-Look Red Devils

According to reports on Monday morning, including Dominic King and Sami Mokbel's Daily Mail article, Manchester United will renew their pursuit of Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini on deadline day as they seek to strengthen in midfield areas.

Fellaini has been a target for the Red Devils all summer, with new United manager David Moyes keen to be reunited with his former midfielder at the first possible opportunity. With the champions short of quality in midfield areas, it appears he is not willing to take Everton's initial no for an answer.

The qualities that Fellaini would bring to United are well known to all Premier League fans, with the midfielder having spent five years at Goodison Park.

A tall, powerful midfielder, the versatile Belgian would offer a number of tactical options to Moyes. He could be used as a holding midfielder, in a box-to-box role or as a second striker—he has played all of these roles to great effect.

Should he join United, though, it is likely he would form part of a double pivot in midfield alongside Michael Carrick, where he would be expected to offer more of a combative presence than the club's other central options.

With the possibility of a more creative midfielder to then come in and seek to run the game ahead of that duo—Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera has been linked, as reported by Paul Collins of the Daily Mail—Fellaini's box-to-box role would then be crucial to the team's tactical setup.

In defensive areas, he would be charged with sitting alongside Carrick and using his physicality to break up play. When in possession, he would be allowed to push forward and look to make late runs into the penalty area.

What Fellaini is able to offer, that few else can, is a potent combination of technique and strength. In recent games at Everton, he has operated as a deep-lying playmaker—often fitting in as a third centre-back when in possession.

He can, though, also be pushed into more advanced areas from where the ball can be hit longer in his direction. United would be unlikely to use that option too often, but it could be utilised on occasions when in desperate need of a goal late in matches.

Michael Carrick was arguably Manchester United's best player last season, with the exception of Robin van Persie. However, the England international needs better support in midfield areas.

The Red Devils won the league last year due to their incredible firepower. The Premier League, though, is stronger all across the board this season, and they will not be able to cover up any midfield weakness once again.

It is a fault line that has gone unresolved for too long, and now, finally, the club look set to act as they seek to retain their Premier League crown.

Herrera, or any similar player, would be a useful addition, but it is the all-round package of Fellaini that Manchester United really need if they are to win the Premier League title once more this season.