OPINION: With Fellaini benched against City, Schneiderlin had arguably his best game in a United shirt

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Ahead of our Europa League second leg against Liverpool, I wanted to see Schneiderlin back in midfield for United. Instead, it was Carrick and Fellaini, and we lost.

When the teams were announced on Sunday, I was as delighted as anyone to see the former Southampton man in the starting XI, and no less mystified as to his recent omission.

Forget Making a Murderer, Van Gaal’s rationale for selecting Fellaini so often is the great unsolved mystery of our time.

Back in December, the MEN shared the stats that suggest Morgan Schneiderlin should be starting every week. In January, ManUtd.com lauded his “remarkable record”. This month, he was described in the Metro as United’s most important player, thanks to these significant stats… schneiderlin stats

And yet the manager has seemingly remained unconvinced that the Frenchman should start ahead of a player composed almost entirely of elbows; a player who resembles the probable result of an unfortunate nuclear accident involving a donkey and the Jackson 5. Back to Sunday then, where Schneiderlin was a key component in a derby victory few predicted. Twitter may not be known as a place of understatement and restraint, but as far as I’m concerned, the people crediting Scheiderlin for his best game at United were bang on…

He was causing problems in more advanced positions; here’s a perfect example of the contribution he made…

 

I still think there’s lots more to come from Morgan, but we don’t currently have a long-term partner for him in central midfield. Carrick and Schweinsteiger are past their peaks, and Fellaini is just an embarrassment. Our transfer activity in the summer could have a big bearing on the trajectory of Schneiderlin’s United career, but with his passion, energy and mix of defensive and attacking qualities, he has all the attributes to be a key man for us.

It’s the international break this weekend, then we’re back in action at Old Trafford on 3rd April. Schneiderlin sounds up for the Everton game – we can only pray he gets to be a part of it.

Schneiderlin’s Stats vs City

Passes: 48

Pass completion: 90%

Interceptions: 2

Tackles: 1

Dribbles: 1