Marouane Fellaini sheds new light on David Moyes’ nightmare spell at Man United – and labels it the ‘worst season’ he has ever experienced

Marouane Fellaini has admitted his first year at Manchester United was ‘the worst season of his career’ as the club struggled under David Moyes.

The Everton manager was a surprise choice to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford after the legendary Scot stepped down after 27 years at the helm.

Fellaini followed Moyes through the exit door at Goodison Park a few months later, when he joined United from Everton on deadline day for £27.5million. 

The Belgian played just 21 games in all competitions in his first season and failed to score and unwittingly became a lightning rod for United’s decline under Moyes, who was sacked nine months into his six-year deal.

‘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 told MUTV this week.

The Belgian signed for United on deadline day for £27m as he was reunited with David Moyes, whom he’d played under for five seasons at Everton 

‘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.’

Fellaini had thrived at Everton under Moyes, scoring 11 Premier League goals in his final season at Goodison Park.

But after failed to land any of their targets during Moyes’ first season in charge, his arrival on deadline day was regarded as underwhelming.

Moyes, meanwhile, was criticised for triggering Fellaini’s £27m release clause after the Belgium international was available for a cheaper fee earlier in the window.

Fellaini failed to replicate his Everton form at Old Trafford and conceded he struggled to cope with the heightened expectations.  

‘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,’ he explained.

‘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.’

Moyes and Fellaini were a success at Everton, but failed to replicate their impact at United 

Fellaini enjoyed a much more fruitful relationship with Louis Van Gaal in the next two seasons

But the 36-year-old, who retired in February after spending the last five seasons in China, holds no grudge against Moyes.

‘I would never criticise David Moyes because he gave me my chance in England. I played under him nearly every game [at Everton],’ he said. 

Fellaini’s fortunes turned around under Louis Van Gaal the following season, when he scored seven goals in 31 appearances in all competitions.

The Belgian, however, revealed his relationship with the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager got off to a rocky start.

‘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.”,’ he said.

‘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.’