Marouane Fellaini is more than Manchester United's Plan B - he's the perfect Jose Mourinho player

The big Belgian is more than someone who will unquestioningly carry out the manager’s orders, he's a warrior who Mourinho can call on for every battle

If there remains so much debate over whether Marouane Fellaini fits the ideal of a Manchester United, there can be little dispute he fits the ideal of a Manchester United in spirit. And that goes beyond kissing the crest when he celebrated, even if that was a gesture rightfully seen as that of someone who wants to stay at the club.

It goes to what he does when the clock moves beyond 80 minutes, as it did for that match-winner against Arsenal. Of the 20 goals that Fellaini has scored for the club, this was the fourth that came so late in the game.

He is more than a useful Plan B, then. This is not just a coincidence of him being on the pitch. He has that character, too, something that Jose Mourinho very much recognises. This is why he is so intent on Fellaini signing a new deal.

“The position is that we are almost there, but in football almost there is not enough,” Mourinho said after the Arsenal win. “I can’t celebrate because almost is not enough. I want to see the white paper with the United crest and Ed Woodward’s signature and Marouane Fellaini’s signature.”

Fellaini was in the right place at the right time as he so often is (Manchester United)

Mourinho also wants the signatures of more players like him. This is key to this, too.

Fellaini is more than someone who will unquestioningly carry out the manager’s orders, as all at Carrington say about him.

He is a fighter, a “warrior”. He’s ready for battle.

The word “warrior” is one bandied around the Old Trafford higher levels more than any other when it comes to discussions about their transfer plans. Mourinho doesn’t feel he has enough of them, and specifically wants to target players of this personality type, so certainly doesn’t want to lose one he thinks typifies it.

This is also why there’s more value to Fellaini for United than just as late siege artillery. There’s also absolutely no harm in having that alternative option, especially since it doesn’t seem likely that Mourinho is going to suddenly adapt the attacking approaches of Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp. It should also be noted that the Liverpool manager does still genuinely see the value in Fellaini.

The Belgian was United's match-winner once again (Getty)

There’s more to that situation than just the value of his strengths, too. There’s the value of his contract.

At 30, Fellaini knows this is likely to be his last big contract at a big club, so naturally wants to make the most of it. United hadn’t been willing to match that, explaining Mourinho’s trepidation.

Other clubs are interested. All indications now are that the deal will be done, however, so the Portuguese can continue to rely on a player who just gives his side considerable ballast.

A certain resilience was something else further emphasised by this win over Arsenal. United have now won their last five games against all of the top six: a 2-1 over Chelsea, a 2-1 over Liverpool, a 3-2 over Manchester City, a 2-1 over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup and now a 2-1 over Arsenal.

Fellaini looks set to commit his future to the club (AFP)

That is not to be sniffed at, and is further evidence of evolution in the side’s effectiveness; that they are getting closer to the idea of a Mourinho team.

The fact four of them have been 2-1 hints at a few remaining flaws as well as the far more relevant strengths, but then that is what Fellaini is there to help counter; to overcome.

His approach may not be everyone’s preference, and his use at the start of some games may say much about Mourinho’s ideas for those games.

His commitment and effectiveness, however, cannot be questioned.