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United wasted Fellaini's talent, claims Vertonghen

Marouane Fellaini profits from Marc Wilmots' direct tactics but struggled to impress under the same with David Moyes © Getty Images

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Manchester United have misused Marouane Fellaini, according to his international team-mate Jan Vertonghen.

The midfielder headed Belgium's equaliser in their 2-1 victory against Algeria on Tuesday and Tottenham defender Vertonghen insists the club rather than the player were to blame for his failure to make an impact last season.

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"With Belgium, [they] know how to use him and I don't know whether they do in his other team," Vertonghen said.

"Marouane always is very important for the Belgian team. I know there has been a lot of pressure on him from the fans in England but in Belgium he always does well and scores goals.

"I'm very pleased for him and I gave him a little hug after the game because I know that goal meant a lot to him. Marouane is a very cool guy. The pressure doesn't really bother him too much."

Fellaini has profited from Marc Wilmots' direct style of play with Belgium and insisted that, if players cross the ball to him, he will score. United were likened to a Conference side by Fulham's Dan Evans last season but it cannot be as simple as just putting the ball on Fellaini's head as he failed to make any notable impact after his £27 million move from Everton.

Belgium and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany claims the key is how quickly players gel and United fans should show patience with Fellaini because of the way he has impressed at international level.

"Fellaini is a terrific player and with any player in his first season at a new club, it can be tough," Kompany said.

"You have to grant players a couple of seasons before you can judge someone. For us, with Belgium, he has been doing it time and time again."

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