Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher performs U-turn on Marouane Fellaini criticism

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revised his recent criticism of Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini, saying he does not wish to see the Belgian leave the Premier League. The 38-year-old pundit last week claimed the player should be thrown out of English football for his elbow on Leicester City's Robert Huth, but Carragher has now confessed his remarks were over the top.

Fellaini has been widely criticised for his abrasive style of play and is currently serving a three-match suspension for his elbow against Huth. However, Carragher concedes he was too harsh on the Belgian, although he does not think Fellaini is a United-standard player.

"I shouldn't have said that I hope he doesn't play in England again," the ex-Liverpool defender told the Manchester Evening News. "I didn't mean it like that and on reflection I should have taken the line out. I didn't mean he should be thrown out of the league, more that United should move him on.

"My point was that he'd played his last game in the league this season for United and that was hopefully the last we'll see of his elbows. I know that sounds like the same thing, but I didn't mean it as bluntly."

Despite this, Carragher claimed Fellaini has been involved in too many high-profile disciplinary incidents for fans to dismiss the issue. "I've done bad things as a player, as have other players I've played with. Man United fans have been pointing out to me on social media that Luis Suarez and others have done worse things. That's a fair point," the Liverpool hero said.

"Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, myself, Steven Gerrard have all done bad things on a pitch. We've stamped on people. There's no excuse.

"My challenge on Nani was one of them, but my point with Fellaini is that it's happening too often, that it's every few games. I see an elbow as being similar to an over-the-top tackle and I don't feel that it's going away from his game."

The retired Liverpool defender said United should look to sell Fellaini in the summer, saying his style of play is not suited to the Old Trafford club. "Fellaini is a good player; I just don't think he's a Manchester United class player," Carragher explained. "He's used in an effective way by Louis van Gaal and he did play well at West Ham. He doesn't play every week and he's used effectively in certain games.

"He was successful at Everton, that's why United bought him. I also think that he would have been suited to Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, where power, strength and directness were important."