David Moyes calls on Marouane Fellaini to impress against Manchester United
Everton travel to Old Trafford this weekend
Friday 08 February 2013
Related articles
Everton boss David Moyes hopes midfielder Marouane Fellaini can once more show himself to be the man for the big occasion in this weekend's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United.
Fellaini - the Toffees' top-scorer this season with 11 goals in all competitions - was outstanding against United in August, netting the winner as his side got their 2012-13 top-flight campaign under way with a 1-0 victory at Goodison Park.
He also scored last term in a 4-4 draw between the two clubs in Manchester, which dealt what proved to be a major blow to the hosts' unsuccessful title bid.
Last Saturday Fellaini came to Everton's rescue with a brace to secure a 3-3 home draw with Aston Villa, and Moyes is optimistic the 25-year-old can again cause United, the current league leaders, plenty of problems on Sunday at Old Trafford.
"He is coming back into a little bit of form," Moyes, whose team are fifth in the table, said.
"He scored a couple of goals for us last week and he is the sort of player who seems to enjoy the bigger games."
Fellaini has been nursing a hip injury and did not play in Belgium's midweek 2-1 friendly win against Slovakia, but Moyes expects him to be fit for Sunday's game.
"He has got really bad bruising, but I think he will be okay," the Scot said.
Fellaini has become an increasingly influential player for Everton since they recruited him from Standard Liege in 2008 for a record fee of £15million, and reports have suggested several major Premier League clubs are interested in making a move for him.
Chelsea are among those to have been linked with a move but Fellaini has been careful not to fan the flames.
He was this week quoted by Sport Wereld as saying: "I heard about that interest, but I've never really talked with Chelsea.
"In all seasons, there is talk on the grapevine about other clubs, but I was never personally around the table with another club.
"If Chelsea want me, they can cross that bridge, but for now I'm happy at Everton.
"If we finish in fourth place we will qualify for the Champions League and we are currently fifth."
Asked if he thought it would be better to play in the Champions League with Everton rather than Chelsea, Fellaini said: "Maybe, because Everton launched me in England.
"After this season I still have three years left on my contract and the club has become a bit like my family.
"I have a tremendously good relationship with the manager and my team-mates.
"People talk all the time about Chelsea like I've already signed. I am still an Everton player. "
Phil Jagielka is expected to be involved for Everton on Sunday despite sitting out England's 2-1 victory against Brazil, while fellow defenders Seamus Coleman (thigh) and Tony Hibbert (calf) remain sidelined.
PA
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
Brits on fire in the wet at Le Mans!
Wow - what a weekend for British Motorcycle racing!
by Luke Wilkins
22 May 2013 05:00 AM
iBet: Bale and Rooney transfer specials
The dust is barely settling on the Premier League season and the bookies are looking to persuade us ...
by Gareth Purnell
22 May 2013 02:01 AM
A changing of the guards in English football: From Sir Alex Ferguson to Jose Mourinho
The guard has changed at Old Trafford for the first time in 26 years. Meanwhile, down the road, the ...
by The Sports Lawyer
21 May 2013 10:01 PM
-
Exclusive: Championship clubs set to push for safe-standing trials
-
Sergio Garcia at centre of racism row as dispute with Tiger Woods continues
-
Gaël Clichy: Roberto Mancini must take share of blame for dismissal
-
Phil Neville in frame for role at Stoke City
-
Andy Carroll stalls on £15m move to West Ham in hope Newcastle step in
- 1 Gay couple beaten in park urge MPs to moderate language on gay marriage
- 2 Swedes set up 'ultimate Viking movie'
- 3 After woman sells virginity for $780,000, here are the results of our prostitution survey
- 4 China agrees to impose carbon targets by 2016
- 5 Far-right French historian, 78-year-old Dominique Venner, commits suicide in Notre Dame in protest against gay marriage
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Day In a Page
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’
Why clubs are keen to take a stand



Comments