Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to thank for getting his move to England.

Steve Round, assistant-manager to David Moyes at Everton and Manchester United and who worked with Fellaini at both clubs, recounts how it all began.

"Marouane had been on Everton's radar for a while. His ability to play in different positions was attractive because the club didn't have the money to pay big fees on several players," explains Round to the Mail on Sunday.

"David asked me to go and watch him play (for Standard Liege) Liverpool at Anfield and he was very impressive. A lot of players would have been dominated in midfield by someone like Steven Gerrard in his own stadium but Marouane competed and gave as good as he got. He wasn't overawed and you could see he had ability.

"When David asked my opinion, it was positive and the club signed him in what was a big deal for them given their finances at the time."