Marouane Fellaini Debut: Talented Player Will Show Value vs. Crystal Palace

The gem of David Moyes’ summer transfer window, a lot of anticipation revolves around Marouane Fellaini right now and just how the towering middleman will fare in his new surroundings.

At Old Trafford, the Belgian will be expected not only to maintain the high standards built up under Moyes at Goodison Park, but to move on to bigger and better things.

That journey begins with the opportunity to start in his first home game at the Theatre of Dreams this weekend, where the Red Devils host Crystal Palace.

In his first-ever game against Palace, Fellaini—like a lot of the current United crop—will be coming up against a fairly-unknown enemy, but one they should nevertheless overcome with ease.

If Fellaini is to grab his first minutes in a Manchester United shirt, it’s most likely to be in a central anchor position alongside Michael Carrick or Tom Cleverley—or a combination of the two.

This was supported by James (@writtenoff_mufc) earlier this week:

Despite the success he experienced as an attacking No. 10 last season, the 25-year-old has always remained adamant that his attributes are best suited to defensive midfield, as he professed to the Mirror (h/t Sky Sports) in December of last year.

Moyes will know better than any just how to deploy his long-term asset.

At Goodison Park, Fellaini may have been jumbled around in order to accommodate for weaker portions of the Toffees’ squad. That’s certainly not the case in his new surroundings.

The reigning Premier League champions are incredibly well-equipped in attack and have a number of players capable of playing in the hole.

One would think this leaves the afro of Fellaini to float less conspicuously into the holding role that he’s shown himself to be equally adept at.

For some time now, it’s a strong and aggressive midfield "destroyer" that Manchester United have been lacking in their engine room.

A player capable of breaking up an attack before distributing with ease, Fellaini is the plug to fill that hole and Ian Holloway’s Eagles will be the first to bear witness to that.

Last season, the Belgian international won more than 150 headed duels and, according to Squawka, was involved in more than four tackles per game on average in his three outings for Everton this season.

While the Premier League new boys are assuredly not the toughest task that Moyes’ men will come up against during the 2013/14 campaign, the fixture should provide a nice transition for Fellaini, a simpler route for the giant to get used to the new setup he finds himself in.

As a result of Fellaini’s presence, several other players within the United squad, namely the likes of Carrick, Shinji Kagawa and Wayne Rooney, should be liberated in their responsibilities.

That trio and others should now be able to go about their business without having to worry so much about leaving exposed areas elsewhere.

The 6’5” central presence will get his first bite of the Manchester United cherry this Saturday and the stage is set for the start of something beautiful.