‘Misfit’ Marouane is now the Belgian they adore... even when pal Lukaku is scoring for fun

about Romelu Lukaku. It’s all about Marouane Fellaini, the onetime United misfit and target of the boo boys who has been given a makeover under Jose Mourinho.

Far too often the midfielder with the unmistakable hairstyle and rogue elbows has appeared an expensive and underused legacy of the barren David Moyes era.

Mourinho has lauded him and brought him to the boil with outstanding results, Fellaini now an integral component of the welloiled United machine which is hunting down an overdue Premier League title.

Yesterday he ran the show, scoring twice as once again Crystal Palace were dismantled with consummate ease, failing to score for the seventh game running and being on the end of another Manchester drubbing.

Mourinho said: “He is a fighter, a guy with a lot of pride. I am really pleased I have helped him reach this level and change the perception of the fans.

“I suppose a lot of it has been common sense. Sometimes we like players others don’t like. I have examples of players that didn’t perform well for me and performed well for other managers. Marouane has important qualities and I try to use them.”

The Palace fans departed singing with gallows humour: “We’re Crystal Palace – we’ll score when we want.”

At this rate seeing a Palace goal will be like a JFK moment – everyone will recall where they