Ah, here.
There’s less than a week to go to the end of the transfer window and Manchester United’s exhaustive hunt for a forward appears to have come to an end.
Anyone with an even half-decent scoring record in five-a-side has been pursued at one stage or another this summer.
The closest United have got to finding to to-class support for Wayne Rooney was the pursuit of Barcelona’s Pedro, but poor Ed Woodward failed to seal the deal, and Chelsea stole in to lure him to Stamford Bridge.
But fear not Red Devils fans as it appears that Louis van Gaal has a ready made solution at his disposal to solve the club’s goalscoring dilemmas.
And his name is Marouane Fellaini.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League Play-Off second leg against Club Brugge, the Dutchman told reporters that the Belgian, who is normally a midfielder, will be played much further up the pitch this season.
Van Gaal on Fellaini: "He can play as a no.6 or no.8 but this year he'll be more a no.9 or no.10 as we have players in the other positions."
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 25, 2015
The former Everton man was one of the club’s best players in the second half of last season, while he scored the crucial third goal in last week’s 3-1 win over Club Brugge at Old Trafford.
And he is hopeful of making a major impact as one of the club’s new attacking threats.
“In the past I have played no.9 and no.10. I have to help the team. I can play there.
“It’s not important where I play, the most important thing is to win the game. Of course it’s different but I enjoy all the positions I can play in.”
Fellaini: "I know my first season was difficult – it's in the past. Now I'm looking to do well and score goals." #mufc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 25, 2015
Fellaini, to his credit, was used as as a massively successful attacking option under David Moyes at Everton, though whether the Old Trafford faithful are prepared to watch a lot of route one football remains to be see.
However but you would imagine that Manchester United fans hoping to sign Neymar (cough) or another striker before the end of the month will be left disappointed by this latest revelation.
"…due to make-up of squad"
Imagine if we were able to alter the make-up of the squad somehow
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) August 25, 2015
So United's world beating number 9 has been hiding in the shrubbery all this time! #fellaini #MUFC
— Jonathan Mallett (@_jonmall) August 25, 2015
Don't understand why people are moaning about fellaini playing no 10 or 9 role. He played there for everton, score goals & causes problems..
— Ian Patterson (@IanPattersonMU) August 25, 2015
I like Fellaini. He scores big goals and he'll elbow you in the mouth if you give him any lip. Stop being jel of the fro.
— Hayles (@Hayles_101) August 25, 2015
H/T Mirror
