A few months ago, if you’d told Manchester United fans they would be demanding for Marouane Fellaini to start instead of Ander Herrera, they probably would have told you you were crazy and that such a situation would never happen.
However, that’s exactly what’s gone on over the past few weeks, with the Spaniard struggling to recapture last year’s form, probably because he’s only started playing regularly since both Paul Pogba and former Everton midfielder picked up injuries.
Still, it’s hard to argue against the fact Fellaini has had a more than positive impact this season, and his absence in Manchester United’s midfield has been noticed.
While this is a good sign, and he has played rather well, he hasn’t exactly played like one of the best midfielders in the world, which Roberto Martinez seems to think has been the case.
Speaking to So Foot about various things this week, the former Everton manager, who knows Fellaini rather well, was asked about the three Belgian players (Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens) who were nominated for the Ballon d’Or by France Football.
He said: “And two or three players who maybe just about missed out on a nomination, like Thibaut Courtois and Marouane Fellaini”.
Picking him for his team whenever he is fit, and having worked with him at both club and national team level, Roberto Martinez is clearly a big fan, even if he was the one in charge when the midfielder left Everton and Goodison Park for Old Trafford.
There’s always next year for his wish to be fulfilled.
