David Moyes: Marouane Fellaini is More Effective if He's Accompanied by Defensive Midfielder

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes says having Daley Blind in the defensive midfield role is helping Marouane Fellaini in becoming an important player at Old Trafford.

The Scot signed the midfielder from his former club Everton last summer. The Belgium international struggled in his debut season and was close to being offloaded earlier in the summer transfer window.

However, Fellaini has been one of the standout players in Louis van Gaal's side in the last three matches against West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea and Manchester City.

The 20-times English champions spent £27.5m in bringing him to Old Trafford from the Merseyside club. Moyes claims Fellaini has now started to prove his worth at United and is delighted with his former midfielder's performance this season.

"He [Fellaini] can perform several jobs in a team but I think it helps him to have someone like Daley Blind sitting there in that more defensive midfield role," Moyes told the Daily Mail.

"At Standard Liege he had Defour or Witsel sitting deeper and allowing him to get further forward, and at Everton he had players like Phil Neville."

"At United last season we lacked that kind of midfielder, and while Marouane has the physical ability to cover the ground he's definitely more effective in a game if he's accompanied by a defensive midfield player.

"So I'm delighted he's settled down now and he's beginning to be appreciated for what he is; a damn fine footballer who was definitely worth the effort as well as the money," he added.

United struggled under Moyes last season and the former Everton manager was sacked earlier in April. The 51-year-old convinced Fellaini to leave Everton and follow him to Old Trafford. Moyes revealed the tall midfielder was disappointed after he was shown the exit door by the Red Devils.

"It was hard when I left, because we had a great relationship and I think he was upset. I did feel bad, responsible even," the former United manager said.

"I'd convinced him to come across in the belief that was I going to be there for a long time, and now suddenly I was leaving. But in football everyone realises these things can happen, and Marouane knows his job is to deliver for United."