Marouane Fellaini's Manchester United Role Questioned by Marc Wilmots

Belgium head coach Marc Wilmots does not believe Marouane Fellaini is being utilised correctly at Manchester United.

According to the Times' Rory Smith (h/t ESPN), Wilmots believes the two primary roles he has played under Louis van Gaal this season—as a holding midfielder or up front—are not suited to his game:

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I know him by heart. In my eyes, he is a box-to-box [midfielder]. He could also play as No. 6 by himself, but not with a partner.

He has the ability to play on the offensive too, as Everton used him. He is the best goal scorer I have. He is a very good player with a unique profile, but he is a player who must be used taking his qualities into account.

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Former United greats Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand have also questioned Van Gaal's use of Fellaini alongside Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield, per BT Sport Football:

The Belgian has failed to impress at Old Trafford after being signed by David Moyes for £27.5 million in 2013, and this season has been no exception.

Despite a number of appearances in an advanced role, he has accrued just three goals and as many assists in all competitions, while he hasn't used his physicality to its potential as a midfield enforcer, winning just 13 of 35 attempted tackles in the Premier League this season, according to Squawka.

The Independent's Mark Ogden and ESPN's Alex Shaw believe United are a much better team without the 28-year-old on the pitch at all, as they revealed during the recent Manchester derby:

Football writer Liam Canning further gave his take on United's improved look:

While Wilmots may get to see a different Fellaini for Belgium, the player has never been a natural fit at Old Trafford.

Though United may benefit from a box-to-box midfielder who can get up and down the pitch and contribute at both ends, Fellaini is not of the required quality to play that role at a club with their ambitions.

Indeed, it would not be at all surprising if the Red Devils seek to sell him in the summer. He could reignite his career with a move elsewhere—he did impress at Everton, after all—but Wilmots isn't likely to see Fellaini used in the manner he wants until that happens.