Manchester United midfielder closing in on an exit: The right choice by Solskjaer?

Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini could become the first player to leave in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign, it has been reported by Mirror.

The Belgian international has struggled to make an impression under the Norwegian, featuring in only 31 minutes of football.

With Manchester United searching for a new midfielder in the market, a move away from Old Trafford could be on the horizon.

Is selling Fellaini the right choice by Solskjaer?

Midfield has been a big problem for Manchester United in recent years, and with a host of players struggling to perform on a consistent basis, an overhaul in the department might turn out to be an effective solution.

Fellaini, in particular, has been one of those players who has struggled to step up and despite appearing useful in certain matches, has largely become a liability at times as he is on big wages and has limited use.

The Belgian international was initially brought in as a midfield enforcer who could provide a sense of urgency in the middle. But, a series of inconsistent performances combined with an awful injury record has made his spell a forgettable one.

As far as his gameplay is concerned, Fellaini is labelled as a strong, physical midfielder, whose excellent physique also becomes an advantage in terms of aerial duels. And while every big club certainly requires a player boasting similar characteristics, it’s Fellaini’s error-prone nature coupled with rough play that has made him a liability in midfield.

The former Everton star often tends to lose possession while making rash-challenges is almost part of his game-routine as he has lost his pace. And this could seriously hinder the rhythm employed by Solskjaer, who likes his team to play attacking football.

With a surge in form, United will be looking to challenge for the Champions League places during the second half of the campaign. And considering how they have performed in recent matches, it seems unlikely that Fellaini will be given any opportunities ahead of players like Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera.

Therefore, a move away from Old Trafford does make a world of sense for the Belgian international, who could be a useful addition to any mid-table Premier League club.