The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Marouane Fellaini

  • Fellaini announces international retirement

    Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini announced his retirement from international football on Friday, ending a 12-year career with the national team.

    The 31-year-old scored 18 goals in 87 appearances for Belgium and represented them at two FIFA World Cups, helping them finish third in Russia last year.

    “After 12 years of representing Belgium at the highest level, I have decided to retire from senior international football,” Fellaini said in a statement on Twitter.

    Read Also: Fellaini refuses to rule out move to China

    “I feel the time is right for me to step down and allow the next generation of players to continue this very successful period in Belgian football history.

    “I have many amazing memories… and I am very proud Belgium is currently number one in the FIFA rankings.”

    Fellaini joined Chinese Super League (CSL) side Shandong Luneng in February, ending a five-and-a-half year spell at English Premier League (EPL) side Manchester United.

    He scored the winning goal on his CSL debut against Beijing Renhe this month.

    NAN

  • Fellaini get fans talking with new look ahead of birthday

    Ahead of his 31st birthday, Manchester United player, Marouane Fellaini has shaved off the `afro’ hairstyle he is known with.

    On his twitter handle @Fellaini, the Belgian midfielder posted a picture of himself on Wednesday with a low haircut and wrote: “new year, new look, birthday tomorrow’’.

    Read Also:Manchester United: Zidane may replace Mourinho

    Fans as well as his team mates have expressed mixed reactions over his new look with some lauding his new trim and others condemning it.

    His club teammate Eric Bailly and his Belgian mate Vincent Kompany reacted thus: @Ericbailly24 “noooooooooo’’, @vincentkompany“its photoshopped, it cant be true’’.

    Fans: @teddymuene“what a sad day in football’’, @egillgillz “amazing haircut King Fellaini, really brings out your chin’’, @f_edits “I love everything you do, but this aint it chief @martialfc_11 “love that big man’’.

  • United’s Fellaini showcases Mickey Mouse-style

     

    Marouane Fellaini is one of the few footballers in the world who is instantly recognisable for his trademark hairstyle.

    The Belgian dominates the centre of the pitch with his tall stature and distinctive Afro… and now he has undergone a photo shoot with GQ magazine to show himself in a brand new light.

    Fellaini sat down to talk with the lifestyle magazine ahead of the upcoming World Cup, and tried out a few fancy hairstyles along the way.

    Fashioning his long locks into an array of different styles, Fellaini allowed the experts at GQ to jazz up his style by incorporating his frizzy hair into pigtails and offset with a bandana.

    Speaking to the publication Fellaini discussed his approach to football and his often-criticised playing style.

    The 30-year-old is often viewed as a battering ram in central midfield, with the intention of roughing up opponents and breaking up play.

    Fellaini however rejects this notion, and believes there are far more facets to his game which have seen him become an instrumental component for both club and country.

    ‘It think it’s easy for them to portray me as an aggressive player, but I’m not,’ Fellaini told GQ Style.

    ‘I try to play my game, I try my best to recover the ball quickly: that’s my job. Try to be better all the time, to give my best for the team, for the club. I always want to improve.’

    Despite his future at Manchester United frequently coming into question over the years, Fellaini has repeatedly proved to be an important player relied upon by different managers since being signed by David Moyes in September 2013.

    Current boss Jose Mourinho has come to depend heavily upon Fellaini in recent seasons, and selected the midfielder during his side’s recent victory over arch rivals Liverpool.

    The relationship between the two, Fellaini points out, is one of respect and a mutual desire to win.

    ‘I’ve learnt a lot with him. Jose is someone who wants to win every game: he pushes players to get the maximum from them.

    ‘He has a very good understanding with his players. He’s a winner.’

    While his ambitions are focused on a strong end to the season with United, Fellaini also has one eye on the World Cup and Belgium’s chances of going all the way.

    With some of the hottest prospects in European football within their ranks, Belgium are tipped by many to go all the way and lift the World Cup for the first time in their history.

    ‘We hope to do better than at the last World Cup and Euros. We have a great squad and we’re four years more experienced,’ Fellaini added. ‘We’re ready and want to do something special for the Belgian fans.’

     

     

  • Liverpool out to halt United’s charge in Anfield clash

    Liverpool out to halt United’s charge in Anfield clash

    Liverpool and Manchester United’s globe-trotting squads must shake off the effects of international duty for one of English football’s most eagerly-anticipated clashes on Saturday.

    According to Sky Sports their players clocked up 139,000 miles taking part in World Cup qualifiers since the last Premier League action.

    But all roads will lead to Anfield this weekend as the English top flight resumes after a two-week break with a potential cracker.

    The stoppage was badly-timed for United who won their last three Premier League games with nine goals scored and none conceded, albeit against sides in the lower half of the table.

    Jose Mourinho’s side, joint leaders on 19 points from seven games with Manchester City, will hope to continue that momentum in what will be their biggest test of the season to date.

    Liverpool’s form has been less impressive and Juergen Klopp’s side, beset by defensive problems, are seven points off the searing pace being set by the two Manchester rivals.

    They are also without a Premier League victory over bitter adversaries United in their last six meetings, but Mourinho says recent history will have no bearing on Saturday.

    “These kind of matches, every single moment plays a part,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “We are playing against a good team with very good players.

    “Form doesn’t matter, the moment doesn’t matter. It’s a match of three points.”

    United will be missing midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who hurt his knee playing for Belgium against Bosnia, while Paul Pogba is still absent with an injury.

    Liverpool have a potentially more significant absentee, however, with forward Sadio Mane facing a six-week layoff after injuring his hamstring representing Senegal.

    Meanwhile, City who have built up a goal difference of plus 20 during a stunning start to the campaign, will host Stoke City.

    Prolific striker, Sergio Aguero may possibly be in contention for a squad place after recovering from injuring his ribs in a car accident last month.

    Tottenham Hotspur, in third place, will attempt to lay their Wemble jinx in the league at the fourth time of asking as they host Bournemouth.

    While fourth-placed champions Chelsea, beaten by City before the international break, visit Crystal Palace.

    Toothless Palace are the first top-flight side to lose their opening seven games since Portsmouth in 2009, and the first in 129 years of the Football League to do so without scoring.

    Fifth-placed Arsenal are at Watford, while Burnley, the surprise package so far in sixth, will fancy their chances when they tackle West Ham United at Turf Moor.

    West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has leapfrogged Everton’s Ronald Koeman as favourite to be the next managerial casualty after his side’s woeful start.

    Koeman’s side travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday hoping to avoid only a second loss in 20 against newly-promoted teams in the Premier League.

    NAN

  • Fellaini refuses to rule out move to China

    Fellaini refuses to rule out move to China

     

    Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has touted a possible move to China in the future.

    Fellaini has just had a 12-month extension on his contract triggered at Old Trafford after emerging as a key player under Jose Mourinho.

    However the Belgium international says playing in the Chinese Super League later in his career holds some appeal.

    Fellaini told VTM News: ‘In China? Why not? I’m now a Manchester United player, but I do not rule out such a transfer in the future.’

    A number of players have already moved from the Premier League to the Far East, including John Obi Mikel and Odion Ighalo.

    Chelsea’s Diego Costa has also been linked with a transfer to China, but like Fellaini is keen to stay in England for now.

    Fellaini has thrived under Mourinho, after an underwhelming first three years at Old Trafford when David Moyes and then Louis van Gaal were in charge.

    He has developed a knack of putting in good performances and scoring key goals in big games, including in both the Europa League and EFL Cup semi finals.

    He said: ‘At the start of the season, I played as a No 6, then as a No 8 and then a No 10. I play wherever he needs me. He knows my qualities and knows how to use me. If he plays me, I will play there and give my best.’

  • Fellaini sent off for headbutt in goalless Manchester derby

    Fellaini sent off for headbutt in goalless Manchester derby

    Marouane Fellaini was sent off for headbutting Sergio Aguero as Manchester City and Manchester United fought out an attritional goalless draw at Etihad Stadium to leave their hopes of a place in the Premier League’s top four still in the balance.

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will be the happier after they extended their unbeaten league run to 24 games, a feat achieved without Fellaini in the closing stages after he was dismissed for a senseless headbutt on Aguero.

    Argentine Aguero came closest for City when he hit the post early on and manager Pep Guardiola was left with an injury concern when keeper Claudio Bravo was taken off on a stretcher after injuring his calf catching a cross in the second half.

    City substitute Gabriel Jesus had a later header correctly ruled out for offside as they remain in fourth place, with United a point behind in fifth as both sides have five games remaining.

    United had 30.8 percent possession – their lowest figure in a Premier League game since Opta started recording possession in 2003-04.

    But Mourinho’s side showed all the qualities that have ensured they have remained unbeaten in the Premier League since October to battle their way to a point here.

    United spent much of the game on the back foot and almost the entire second half camped in their own territory, but showed the reserves of resilience, organisation and defiance that compensates for their current lack of stardust.

    Michael Carrick provided the solid platform and for the most part City were frustrated, with too many efforts off target or lacking the power to trouble United keeper David de Gea.

    United carried real threat in the pace of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial but their midfield lacked the guile to provide the right service.

    This result keeps United right in the hunt for the top four as they stand in fifth place, one point behind City and two points behind third-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

    The biggest minus on their night was the crass stupidity of Fellaini, needlessly involved in the incident that saw him thrust his head into the face of Aguero.

    This was deja vu for City and Guardiola – so much possession and territory, too little end result.

    City created the best chances and effectively spent the second 45 minutes camped in United territory but as on so many occasions this season, including the FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal, possession and territory was not turned into scoreline supremacy.

  • Let’s stand up and be counted – Fellaini

    Let’s stand up and be counted – Fellaini

    Marouane Fellaini, Manchester United midfielder has encouraged the Reds to rise up after falling to a third defeat of the season to Watford on Sunday Afternoon.

    After the defeat in the Europa league on Thursday,United still fell in 3-1 defeat with Watford at Vicarage stadium after goals from  Etienne Capoue, Juan Camilo Zuniga and Troy Deeney for the hosts, with Marcus Rashford scoring  for United.

    Fellaini in an interview with MUTV said, “At half-time, the manager told us to come out and play with confidence and we did that by grabbing the goal, we played with tempo and we need to start doing that from the first minute.

    “In the second half, we were much better. We kept the ball, created chances and played forward. We got back into the game at 1-1 but then we gave away the second goal by giving them too much space and not pressing the ball.”

    The second Watford goal came as a sucker blow after Rashford had leveled from close range.

    “Yes it (the mood) is low but we are men and we must stand up together and show ourselves,” said Fellaini.

    “To lose was a tough moment but we must be ready to go again on Wednesday. We need to focus. At the moment heads are down but, as I said, we must stand together and fight and show that we are confident.”