Manchester United’s £27.5m deadline day recruit Marouane Fellaini has insisted criticism of his new team following last weekend’s defeat by Liverpool was unwarranted, and that David Moyes’s players remain capable of defending the Premier League title.
Moyes and United have come under fire following a low-key transfer window, in which Fellaini was the only high-profile arrival. Bids for a host of other targets, including Fellaini’s former Everton team-mate Leighton Baines, failed.
That scrutiny only intensified on account of a 1-0 loss at Anfield the day before the window closed but Fellaini, albeit predictably, has backed his new employers to come good.
“Of course we still have the quality to win the league,” said the midfielder. “I watched the game [against Liverpool] and in the second half the team played well, played very well and had a lot of chances.
“My ambition this season is to win something with Manchester United and to play a lot of games for Manchester United. Winning a trophy is important.
“Of course it will be tough, we know it will be tough. But I think Manchester United has a great team and a great chance to win trophies so that is what I am looking forward to.”
Fellaini was watched first-hand by Moyes – who also managed him at Everton – as he played for 68 minutes of Belgium’s comfortable 2-0 win over Scotland at Hampden Park on Friday night. Afterwards, Fellaini reflected on a hectic spell.
“It was a great week for me,” Fellaini said. “It was a bit nervous on Monday but in the end I have my transfer, I have a win with Belgium so I am happy. The result for Belgium was very important, we won even if it wasn’t my best game.
“Of course I am looking forward to working with David Moyes again. But we have a lot of great players so I need to work hard for my place.
“It is a big step up for me, but I have been in England, I know the league and I know the players so I don’t think I will have a problem with this move.”
© Guardian News & Media Limited 2014
