West Ham set to move for Manchester misfit

West Ham United have shocked many of us this year by their downright atrocious and lacklustre start to the Premier League season. However, surely times haven't become this depressing, that our main target in the January transfer window is to sign Marouane Fellaini on loan from Manchester United?

Well, apparently according to The Standard, it is, who are suggesting that Slaven Bilić is looking to add more bulk and physicality to an already inept midfield partnership of Mark Noble and... Just Mark Noble.

Talking of bulk, West Ham have been missing Andy Carroll up front this season, The Hammers main physical presence. A capable forward who can offer something more than any of the other striking options at the club, not just with his aerial threat but the boisterous nature in which he plays with.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

If what Bilić is saying is true, could Fellaini really be the missing link?

If you'd have asked every team in the league if they'd have wanted Marouane after his 2012/13 season with Everton and overall five-year tenure with the Merseyside club, the answer would have been a resounding yes.

Fellaini proved himself as one of the best midfielders at the time, not only with his fantastic finishing but with his astonishing aerial ability as well, providing numerous goals and assists whilst guiding the team to a top eight finish every year.

However fast forward three seasons and you probably wouldn't even have to think twice before saying no to him - he's been utterly abysmal.

Although he offers vast experience at playing at the top level in the Premier League and on the world stage for Belgium, I really couldn't see how he'd fit in to a team who clearly lack any confidence at the minute, whilst showing no confidence in his own ability at the minute as well.

Although he's popped up now and again for the odd header, the only consistent thing in his play is his ability to elbow nearly every player in the Premier League and receiving countless bookings and red cards in the process. With his latest world class move, giving away a penalty at Everton, 120 seconds after coming onto the pitch as a substitute.

West Ham are clearly lacking in a number of things this season, centre-midfield however, isn't one of them. With the emergence of Pedro Obiang, who's finally been given time to show how well he can perform, finds himself as the main man in the middle and a definite shoe in each week for his place in the starting XI.

Mark Noble unfortunately hasn't yet been able to live up to the expectations of last season, but with Mr West Ham serving as club captain the likelihood of him finding his way to the bench anytime soon is minimal.

It begs the question - do we even need Fellaini at all?