Fellaini’s timely habit of making a late impact
Timing is everything, and Marouane Fellaini has developed the knack of digging Manchester United out of a hole.
Fellaini is derided for his awkward style of play, but he is very effective in both penalty areas.
And when United have been searching for a late goal, he is always in the thick of the action.
That was the case last Tuesday night when his injury-time winner against Young Boys secured the Reds’ passage to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Each of Fellaini’s last three United goals have come in injury time in front of the Stretford End at Old Trafford.
Another one of those came against Arsenal last season, which guaranteed a top-four spot and Champions League football for Jose Mourinho’s men.
The Gunners visit Old Trafford on Wednesday night, as United try to close the gap in the battle for this season’s top four.
Fellaini’s goal against Young Boys sealed only a fourth home win in ten matches in all competitions this season, as they have scratched around for form.
The big Belgian can’t put his finger on why things have been so difficult, but he hopes it sparks off an improvement.
“I have good memories of that goal against Arsenal,” he recalls.
“But now it is a different team with a different manager and different players.
“It will be a tough game, like all of them in the Premier League.
“We know that a win would help push us up the table. December is an important month with a lot of games, so we need to do well.
“I just don’t know why the home form has been good. We have to do better.
“Against Young Boys, we showed the right character and we were going for a goal from the first minute.
“Pleasing the supporters is important for us here and it is important for us to play good football and they have to push us.
“I hope that goal will change the mood. For sure, everyone at the club needs to get together and then stick together.”
Fellaini has been at United for five years now and it’s evident that he has the full support of Mourinho.
That is something team-mate Fred is still trying to earn as he adapts to English football after his £52-million move from Shakhtar Donetsk.
“It’s different here,” admits the Brazilian. “I have not been playing so much, but it’s a process of adaptation to a new league.
“The manager has chosen not to put me in the team. That is his choice. I still do my job and I can’t let it affect my mindset or shake me.”