This statistic is absolutely damning on Marouane Fellaini’s aerial ability

This doesn’t make good reading for Marouane Fellaini.

The much maligned Manchester United midfielder doesn’t have a great touch, isn’t a great passer or a great dribbler.

He’s tall and strong though, and should have an advantage in aerial duals.

Fellaini is 6’4″ and therefore, you’d imagine, should be good at heading the ball, and have the physical strength to hold off opponents – not this season though.

The Belgian has won 42% of his aerial duals, that’s just 25 out of the 59 aerial battles he’s been involved in and was even beaten in the air by Lucas during yesterday’s game at Anfield.

United fans might point to Fellaini winning the header that led to Wayne Rooney scoring the winning goal against Liverpool.

However, you’d expect more from the 28 year old. It begs the question that if Fellaini isn’t winning headers, what is he doing? What does he contribute to United?

Fellaini, when he signed for the club back in August 2013, didn’t do himself any favours by comparing his game to United legend Roy Keane.

“Keane was an aggressive player who could win every ball. Maybe I can do this as well,” the Belgian said.

Against Liverpool, Fellaini attempted seven tackles, and was only successful with one attempt. We doubt Keane lost six challenges in his entire career, never mind in a single game.Fellaini wasn’t much better when in possession either, completing just 72% of his passes, and creating no chances for his teammates.

This season, the Belgian has made fewer passes and tackles than 15 United players, and fewer interceptions than 17 of his teammates.

Louis van Gaal’s side pale in comparison to the great, or even very good, United teams of the past. But, by any standard, Fellaini appears to have become something of a passenger.

Fellaini’s stats for aerial duals last season show a significant drop-off during the current campaign. The Belgian was brilliant against Manchester City at Old Trafford towards the end of last season, and Van Gaal appeared to be getting the most from his player’s effective, if limited, skill set.

There’s no sign of that this season, and it’s difficult to justify his continued inclusion.

He certainly isn’t a “striker”, as Van Gaal referred to him at the start of the campaign and he’s not a central midfielder of the class required to be challenging for the league.

Now it appears his aerial prowess, the one thing he could always rely on, has also diminished.

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10