30-Year-Old Man Utd Star Set For Controversial Start Against Man City

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is set to hand fit-again Marouane Fellaini an immediate recall to the starting eleven against Manchester City tomorrow afternoon, according to the Mirror.

Fellaini has endured a frustrating few months that have been hampered by a persistent knee injury which the Belgian international initially picked up during the October international break.

The 30-year-old returned to make three substitute appearances in November but aggravated the problem during United’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton two weeks ago.

Fellaini has been forced to miss the last four games but Mourinho confirmed at his pre-match press conference yesterday that the midfielder was set for a return to action this weekend after training all week.

Many fans and pundits assumed the Portuguese coach would opt for Ander Herrera alongside Nemanja Matic at the heart of midfield against City on Sunday afternoon.

However, the Mirror claim Mourinho is set to hand Fellaini an immediate recall to the starting eleven as he wants his height and physicality to add an aerial threat against their Manchester rivals.

United will have to make do without Paul Pogba as he’s set to begin a three-game suspension so it looks like Mourinho wants to pair Fellaini with Matic to give the Red Devils a tall, powerful presence in midfield.

The decision is likely to be a controversial one among supporters as Fellaini isn’t the most popular player among the fan-base. Obviously there are certain advantages to playing Fellaini but he can inhibit United’s style of play so some supporters may have preferred the more technical Herrera to get the nod tomorrow.

However, Mourinho doesn’t often get his tactics wrong so United fans would no doubt forgive him if Fellaini did start and help the club to a vital victory over City this weekend.