Manchester United’s three best and three worst players this season: Rooney excels but Ferdinand on way out

3) Marouane Fellaini

Marouane Fellaini was clearly far from David Moyes’ first choice to sign this past summer, with failed public courting of Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara, Luka Modric and Ander Herrera prior to the Belgian’s Old Trafford switch.

Fellaini has certainly struggled to make the step up required to become a Manchester United player.

He looks cumbersome and uninspired in possession, and his distribution is either unambitious or unreliable.

Now likely to be out of action for 6-8 weeks after wrist surgery, Fellaini will need to watch the team carefully to learn how he can improve.