Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini adds much needed vitality for Louis van Gaal

New Delhi: Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini shows he will bear an important role for Louis van Gaal after an impressive cameo against Club Brugge, in the UEFA Champions League play-off tie on Tuesday. Fellaini's last gasp winner has handed United breathing space on their visit to Belgium next week.

Fellaini who replaced Wayne Rooney in the final moments of the game, provided the players with a cushion to get in crosses and play long balls at him. Fellaini who scored from a Memphis Depay cross in the final whistle of the match looks to give Van Gaal more options especially at crucial junctures.

Fellaini's 2015-16 season has started with a bang, and the midfielder's introduction was a good tactical move by the manager. With Fellaini playing upfront at the No. 10 position, it gives United aerial prowess and immense control.

Fellaini's role was rumored to have getting limited with the arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneirderlin, but the versatile Belgian gives vitality to United and is somebody Van Gaal can count on. Moreover his suspension in the Premier League up till late August threatened his position down the pecking order, but Gaal will look to dart in Fellaini as with the Belgian the manager suddenly has different options.

The Belgian was an improved player under Van Gaal last term and contributed immensely towards United finishing fourth in the Premier League. Fellaini thrived in a 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3 formation last season and made important run-ins and movements, charging forward often from midfield. With Gaal deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation so far in both EPL and Champions League, Fellaini could have a big say behind the striker.

Van Gaal is expected to rotate the midfield with Michael Carrick, Bastian, Schneiderlin and Herrera.

Fellaini's national team mate Adnan Januzaj is also preferred by Van Gaal more centrally as a No. 10 and will fight for his place with the youngster.