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Marouane Fellaini opened up about his tumultuous debut season at Manchester United, describing it as "the worst season of his career."
The Belgian midfielder admitted to facing significant challenges as he transitioned from Everton to Old Trafford under the management of David Moyes.
Fellaini's move to Manchester United came amidst a period of transition for the club, following the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
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David Moyes, who had previously managed Fellaini at Everton, faced criticism for the team's struggles during his tenure.
Fellaini struggled in Man United
Fellaini revealed in an interview with MUTV this week, as reported by Daily Mail, "I'm honest and I always said that the first year was very difficult for me, but for the team too. We had a bad season,"
"It was a nightmare one for a few months. It was not easy at all and, when you are in this situation as well, mentally it’s not good, it’s not easy."
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"The first year at Manchester United was very difficult for me because I was the first signing after the era of Ferguson and it was not easy," Fellaini acknowledged.
"I played five years for Everton, doing very well [and getting] respect from everybody. Then you go to a big club and mentally it's difficult, as your football is not the same."
Despite his admiration for Moyes, Fellaini admitted to the challenges of coping with heightened expectations at a top-tier club like Manchester United.
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"You know, for me, it was the worst [season] in my career, my first year in Manchester. After that [first season], it was much, much better," he confessed.
Redemption Under Van Gaal
However, Fellaini's fortunes took a turn for the better under the management of Louis Van Gaal in the following season. Despite a rocky start with the Dutch coach, Fellaini's determination and hard work paid off.
"When he [Van Gaal] arrived, he said to me: 'I don't count on you. You are my third, fourth, fifth choice’ and I said to him: 'No problem, I’ll get training,'" Fellaini recalled.
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"In my head, I was saying: 'Let's train and we will see in the end what happens.' After that, [within] one week, 10 days, maximum two weeks, I started to play."
Fellaini's resilience and adaptability saw him thrive under Van Gaal's guidance, scoring seven goals in 31 appearances across all competitions.
Despite the initial challenges, Fellaini harbours no resentment towards Moyes, recognizing the pivotal role the former Everton manager played in his career.
"I would never criticise David Moyes because he gave me my chance in England. I played under him nearly every game [at Everton]," Fellaini affirmed.
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