Van Gaal Explains Fellaini Options

Louis van Gaal has discussed Marouane Fellaini's versatility with the Belgian continuing to provide an option from the substitutes' bench for Manchester United.

The manager feels Fellaini can always supply a 'Plan B' alternative in attack with his aerial prowess and ability to make life difficult for defenders, but the Belgian also offers strength in midfield and that is where he is competing for a place in the starting line-up.

The 27-year-old replaced Bastian Schweinsteiger after 68 minutes of Saturday's match at Crystal Palace but was unable to replicate last season's feat when he scored the winner in the corresponding fixture. Next, Fellaini will hope to feature against CSKA Moscow in Tuesday night's Champions League match.

"He has to compete as a midfielder because he is more a midfielder than a striker," said van Gaal.

"He has to compete with players in his position and I have to compare and think how we have to play and then I decide [if he will play v CSKA]. It is always like that.

"It is not a question that he does not play well because I think he was one of my better players on Wednesday [against Middlesbrough]. It is also dependable on the game plan and how I want to put my midfield out."

Fellaini's 11 matches so far in 2015/16 comprise three starts and eight substitute appearances, and he's one of 11 players to have scored for the Reds this season - he netted against his fellow countrymen of Club Brugge, just minutes after coming on in the Champions League qualifier at Old Trafford.

"When I put him on as a striker, he is only a striker in Plan B, not Plan A," continued van Gaal. "He has played as a striker once, against Liverpool, but that was because I had a problem [with injuries] and that is why I made him the striker from the beginning. However, that is not normal."