Sale of Fellaini not justifiable for the sake of plan B

It is perhaps refreshing and reassuring to not witness some of the squad’s contributive players linked with a departure thus far.

Jose Mourinho’s tactics from last season called for an unpredictable, combative figure amongst the attack when the going got tough.

And Marrouane Fellaini, for the most part, was that figure.

Under Louis van Gaal, the Belgian was slightly misused and under David Moyes, it was appalling to watch him fail to fit into the system.

This is not to say Fellaini has actually cemented an indispensable place in the starting eleven, but he is important to it nonetheless.

Every title-chasing side requires some sort of plan B off the bench when the going gets tough and the lanky midfielder represents that option.

Fellaini’s physical presence rather than his skill with the ball at his feet, is what terrorizes most defenders and that is an attribute of very few players in the United set up.

The former Everton man came up short on certain occasions last season and the cameo which saw him give away a late penalty at Goodison Park springs to mind.

However, that in itself was perhaps a result of lack of freshness as it can be hard to impose yourself on a game defensively after being suddenly introduced.

As a late substitute, the pace at which you play can be slower or faster than how things are being maneuvered and it is evident that Mourinho was aware of that and therefore Fellaini was not scapegoated on that night…not in the dressing room at least.

Fellaini’s notable contributions off the bench have been a direct involvement in the build up to goals or an assist as he plays the role of a target man and lays off the ball off for goalscorers.

In a team full of finesse and not as much aerial threat or grit, the part which the Belgian has to play cannot be overlooked.