• Premier League

Man United's Fellaini praises 'strict' straight-talker Van Gaal

Marouane Fellaini has praised the impact made by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal this season and suggested the straight-talking Dutchman has helped to get "some players' feet back on the ground" in the Old Trafford dressing room.

Fellaini is emerging as an important member of Van Gaal's United team, with his performances in recent weeks helping them to establish a five point gap between themselves and fifth place Liverpool in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Without directly criticising his former manager David Moyes -- who brought Fellaini to Manchester United from Everton in the summer of 2013 -- the Belgian midfielder told reporters that he believed Van Gaal was the right fit for a club of United's stature.

"The coach is very strict, but that's good," Fellaini said, in comments appearing in the Daily Mirror. "We needed such a coach. Last season we had a bad season. We even missed European qualification. We needed a coach who would put some players' feet back on the ground.

"If he says something, you should do it. Otherwise you'll fly out of it. If he has to take you off the pitch when the game hasn't been going on for more than 30 minutes he'll do it. Or during half-time. Fortunately, it hasn't happened to me yet."

Fellaini also suggested Van Gaal has been honest with his dealings with him, as he suggested the Dutchman has been true to his word by giving him a chance to establish himself in his plans after many observers suggested he was not the type of player who would be appreciated by the United manager.

"He [Van Gaal] told me, 'Prove yourself and we'll see'. Now they are counting on me," he added.

"There were never any real doubts for me. I was injured at the beginning of the season and then returned. The coach gave me confidence and I proved myself in a few matches.

"After that, I was injured and I got sick. For three weeks I was on antibiotics. It took a while, but now I can finally enjoy things."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd