VERY few players make it through their entire career without being booed it’s simply part and parcel of the game.
While supporters almost always use it as a means of unnerving opponents, they will occasionally turn on their players to express their disapproval of something.
It’s quite easy to feel sorry for Marouane Fellaini for the time being, even for non-Manchester United supporters.
The Belgium international has endured immense scrutiny from his own supporters after conceding a last-gasp penalty against Everton to gift the hosts a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
With that in mind, perhaps it’s no surprise he didn’t receive the warmest of receptions from a section of the crowd upon his return to Old Trafford against Tottenham on Sunday.
Fellaini was booed twice by the United support with the team leading 1-0 both when he was warming up and again as he was introduced as a substitute in the final moments of the match.
The 29-year-old is the type of player who’s very easy to point the finger at when things aren’t going well for United, but that’s no excuse according to some.
Speaking on Sky Sports per the Sun, Gary Neville has offered a stern response to the conduct of the disgruntled Red Devils fans.
“United fans are booing Marouane Fellaini. That’s poor,” he said.
“Some of them have started to clap because you don’t want to see United fans booing players when they’re warming up here.
“It’s poor to see. He may not be their favourite player but that’s a step too far.”
The last-minute cameo was Fellaini’s 24th appearance of the campaign under Jose Mourinho, but it seems there is plenty of work ahead to prove his worth to the United faithful.
There was too little time remaining in the Spurs match for the ex-Everton midfielder to have any significant impact on proceedings, which perhaps played into his favour in terms of avoiding another controversial incident.
Fellaini along with United fans across the world will be breathing a sigh of relief as they held on to secure their first Premier League win on home soil since hosting Leicester in late September.