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Marouane Fellaini: Five times his goals and aerial presence were vital to Manchester United success

Marouane Fellaini has ended his six-year spell at Manchester United and joined Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng.

Signed by David Moyes for £27.5million on deadline day 2013, he was the first major arrival at following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.

While the Belgian has plenty of detractors and his unorthodox style mean he is not the archetypal player usually associated with United, he did manage to carve himself a niche as an impact substitute who was important for both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.

talkSPORT.com looks at his most vital moments in a United shirt.


1. Manchester derby goal – 2015

Sergio Aguero had given Manchester City the lead after just eight minutes at Old Trafford before Ashley Young equalised. The latter then whipped in a dangerous cross to the back post and there lurking with intent, was Fellaini, who headed the ball powerfully beneath Joe Hart to give Van Gaal’s side the lead. It was one they would never surrender, as they eventually won 4-2.


2. Helping United reach the FA Cup final – 2016

With the likes of Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in attack, United, surprisingly struggled to make a breakthrough against Everton, but thanks to their towering midfielder that changed. A late run into the area, followed by a clever finish from a Martial pass helped knock out his former club and send United into a record-equalling 19th FA Cup final, which they won by beating Crystal Palace.


3. Another crucial cup goal – 2017

Fellaini again proved his worth with another important contribution in yet another cup semi-final, this time the EFL Cup. Coming off the bench in the 79th minute against Hull, he rose highest to powerfully head in a Matteo Darmian cross from the left and give United a 2-0 lead. That goal would prove to be invaluable, as Hull won the second leg 2-1, but lost 3-2 on aggregate. United then beat Southampton 3-2 in the final.


4. Europa League heroics – 2017

Notice the pattern building here? If Fellaini scores in a cup semi-final, it means United progress and then win the tournament and that is exactly what happened here. Leading Celta Vigo 1-0 from the first encounter, Fellaini was picked out by a Rashford cross to head in on 17 minutes; as Jose Mourinho’s 10 men nervously held on to book their place in Stockholm.


5. Arsenal the victim of another headed goal and another United win – 2018

While there was no title to contest, Man United v Arsenal carries a level of importance and expectancy from the fans and it was United who left with the bragging rights. With the scores still level in the second minute of stoppage time, Young curled in a cross and you know who got on the end to flick his header into the bottom corner? Yes, it was Fellaini who also ensured Arsene Wenger’s final visit to Old Trafford was a miserable one.

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