Wayne Rooney praised Marouane Fellaini for how he has become a fan favorite after a slow start at Manchester United under David Moyes.

Moyes used Fellaini as a defensive midfielder following his £27.5 million move from Everton in 2013.

"He is getting used in the right way," said Rooney. "He is a handful for defenders to mark. We like to play out from the back and if teams are pressing us then we have him as an option.

"He is probably the best in world football at bringing the ball down and getting us out of that pressure and further up the pitch. He is being used in the right way by the manager and he is repaying the manager with goals and good performances."

United uses Fellaini to advance the ball up the field with goal kicks from David De Gea going directly to Fellaini.

"He is big and he is strong and always a goal threat which he is showing now. He is awkward to mark. It is great for him and we hope it continues."