Marouane Fellaini goes for dinner with his father ahead of Manchester United's huge clash with Arsenal

  • Marouane Fellaini did not play against Wolfsburg and Sunderland
  • Belgian spotted going for dinner with his father Abdellatif on Thursday
  • Fellaini will be hoping to feature for Manchester United against Arsenal
  • Table-topping United travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon

Manchester United's Belgian skyscraper Marouane Fellaini took his father Abdellatif for dinner in Manchester on Thursday evening ahead of his team's huge clash with Arsenal this weekend.

The midfielder was an unused substitute for United in their last two home victories against Sunderland and Wolfsburg but will be hoping to have something to offer Louis van Gaal on Sunday as his team look to overpower Arsene Wenger's hit-and-miss Gunners side.

Fellaini has been used sparingly by Van Gaal this season and the emergence of Anthony Martial as a serious goal threat has reduced the Belgian's appeal as a wildcard centre forward who offers an aerial threat.


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Marouane Fellaini's father Abdellatif grabs his son's hand as the two head out for dinner in Manchester

Marouane Fellaini's father Abdellatif grabs his son's hand as the two head out for dinner in Manchester

Fellaini was an unused substitute in Manchester United's last two games against Sunderland and Wolfsburg

Fellaini was an unused substitute in Manchester United's last two games against Sunderland and Wolfsburg

However, the 27-year-old former Everton man looked relaxed as he stepped out hand in hand with his father for a bite to eat ahead of his trip to the capital this weekend.

Another player used in somewhat of a utility role by the Manchester United manager is Ashley Young, who Van Gaal said was still very important despite missing out on a place in Roy Hodgson's latest England squad.

'Ashley Young is very important,' said Van Gaal. 'He's a team player in the first place and not many players are actually team players. He is always thinking of the team and he can play a lot of positions.

The Belgian will be hoping to get some game time in United's huge clash with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon

The Belgian will be hoping to get some game time in United's huge clash with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon

'For a manager it's fantastic that he is willing to do that. On Wednesday he came in a right fullback. He hasn't played there so much, but our second goal started with him.Ā 

'It was very important that he played there in the second half and I'm very happy with him.'

Speaking ahead of his clash with long-serving Arsenal boss Wenger, Van Gaal also defended his decision to be one of football's journeymen, rather than settling at one club for a long period.

The Reds boss also reiterated his intention to retire at the end of his current contract at Old Trafford which expires in 2017.Ā 

'Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson are other types I think,' said the Dutchman. 'I always want more and I have set my aims always in advance. It's the same as I'm doing now ā€“ I shall retire.

'I have always set my own aims and I think I have set my last aim.'Ā 

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