Marouane Fellaini has insisted that he would “never criticise” one former Manchester United manager after candidly opening up about his time at Old Trafford.
The 36-year-old ex-Belgium midfielder was the first major Manchester United signing in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era after the Scotsman bowed out of Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and David Moyes replaced him in the Old Trafford dugout, with the current West Ham manager enduring an ill-fated spell at United.
David Moyes’ first – and only – summer transfer window at United ended in a lacklustre disappointment, with Fellaini being his only major signing in 2013.
United had attempted to sign former Everton duo Leighton Baines and Fellaini for £28m, only for the Toffees to reject the approach from the Red Devils.
The Premier League club eventually landed Fellaini on deadline day, with United paying a hefty £27.5m to sign the ex-Belgium international from Everton.
United also tried to sign Fabio Coentrao on loan from Real Madrid, but a move for the former Los Blancos left-back failed to materialise for ex-Red Devils boss Moyes.
Fellaini, who announced his retirement from football in 2024, was a polarising figure during his time at Old Trafford and struggled to live up to his hefty £27.5m price tag.
Fellaini on his Man Utd struggles
Marouane Fellaini failed to make a mark in his debut season at Manchester United, despite being a preferred midfield option for David Moyes at Everton.
The United and Everton cult hero only managed 16 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils in the 2013-14 season, which included 12 league starts.
Moyes was sacked only 10 months after he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson, but Fellaini continued to play on at United even after the former Everton boss’ Old Trafford exit.
Speaking on an upcoming episode of the UTD Podcast (via Manchester United’s official website), Fellaini admitted his first season at United was the “worst” in his career.
“The first year at Manchester United was very difficult for me because, like you said, I was the first signing after the era of [Sir Alex] Ferguson and it was not easy,” he explained.
“I’m honest and I always said that the first year was very difficult for me, but for the team too. We [had] a bad season, you know?
“It was a nightmare one for a few months. It was not easy at all and, when you are in this situation as well, mentally it’s not good, it’s not easy.
“I played five years for Everton, doing very well [and getting] respect from everybody. Then you go to a big club and mentally it’s difficult, as your football is not the same.
“You know, for me, it was the worst [season] in my career, my first year in Manchester. Mentally, too.”
Fellaini will not criticise former Man Utd manager
Fellaini overcame his initial struggles at United and became a more utilised figure under former Red Devils managers Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal.
The former United and Everton star made 177 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 22 times, with Fellaini also registering 12 assists during his time at the club.
Fellaini lifted a Europa League and a League Cup under Jose Mourinho, while the Belgian former midfielder also captured an FA Cup under Louis van Gaal.
Despite his role under Mourinho and Van Gaal, Fellaini was deemed surplus to requirement under former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He bowed out of Old Trafford in 2019 and signed for Shandong Taishan, with Fellaini seeing out the remainder of his playing career at the Chinese Super League side.
Speaking on his time at United, Fellaini insisted that he would “never criticise” Moyes, despite struggling under him at Old Trafford.
The United cult hero credited Moyes with giving him a chance to shine at Everton after he arrived at Goodison Park from Belgian side Standard Liege in 2008.
“After that [first season], it was much, much better,” Fellaini continued.
“I knew my teammates. I knew the club, I knew how to work with this situation and I think, for the last four-and-a-half years, I did a good job.
“I would never criticise David Moyes because he gave me my chance in England: I played under him nearly every game [at Everton].
“When Van Gaal arrived, it was a new change. He didn’t know English football, he didn’t know certain players and he didn’t know me too.
“I had to train harder to prove to him that he could count on me and that’s what I did. When he arrived, he said to me: ‘I don’t count on you. You are my third, fourth, fifth choice’ and I said to him: ‘No problem, I’ll get training.’
“In my head, I was saying: ‘Let’s train and we will see in the end what happens.’ After that, [within] one week, 10 days, maximum two weeks, I started to play.”