Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini could be the key man in the Manchester derby… in Paul Pogba’s place
Jose Mourinho's side have performed considerably worse without the big Belgian and dynamic French star this season
MANCHESTER UNITED star Marouane Fellaini could be the key man in this weekend’s Manchester derby… taking Paul Pogba’s place.
Jose Mourinho‘s side have performed considerably worse without the big Belgian and dynamic French star this season, according to the stats.
Without the pair, United concede more, score less and play host to a far inferior win percentage… and Mourinho will already be without the suspended Pogba this weekend.
Incredibly though, it would be FELLAINI United missed more, rather than their record, £89million signing.
So far in 2017-18, United have played nine times with Fellaini and the team and six without.
With the Belgian star, United have won 89 per cent of their matches – compared to just 50 per cent without him.
Meanwhile, Mourinho’s men have scored 2.7 goals per game and conceded a mere 0.2 per outing with Fellaini in the team.
Without him though, and the goals for stalls to just 1.8 per game with the goals against shooting up to 1.2 per clash.
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Overall, United earn an incredible 2.7 points per game with Fellaini… but just 1.8 without him.
And it’s a similar, if slightly diluted, situation with and without Pogba.
United have a 31 per cent better win-rate with Pogba in the XI, while scoring 1.4 goals per game more and conceding 0.4 goals fewer – plus a 0.9 points per game boost.
While Mourinho would no doubt love to have both players at his disposal for Sunday’s Old Trafford showdown, he will at least be happy to have Fellaini available.
If United are to have any chance of slowing down the Man City juggernaut, it will be with the Belgian in the XI.
Should he continue his resurgent form this season, Mourinho and Co could steal a surprise win this weekend.