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Marouane Fellaini believes he was made a scapegoat during Manchester United's disastrous 2013-14 season.

The Belgian arrived at Old Trafford in a deadline-day deal worth £27m last summer, but failed to live up to his price tag during a poor maiden campaign.

His arrival also coincided with the Reds dropping out of the top four, a fact that cost manager David Moyes his job.

Fellaini, however, has turned things around under new boss Louis van Gaal, and has started every game during the Reds' run of six consecutive wins.

And he thinks the difficulties of last season have helped him grow as a player and a person.

"Last season we didn't play well as a team and it was easy for people outside the club to say it was me because the manager brought me with him, but that was something I had to deal with,” Fellaini told The Times.

"It was a difficult moment because in all my career I hadn't experienced anything like it.

“I learnt a lot. I care about what people have to say, of course, but my concern was for my family, my mum and dad and my brothers, because when [critics] are saying bad things about me, it will have been very hard for them."

The 27-year-old also revealed that he is relishing the challenge of getting United back into the Champions League this term.

“Last season was not good enough for Manchester United,” he added.

“We know that and we are working hard to put that right. In some ways it is too early to talk about the title because we are still building and it is only December, but we are winning matches consistently again and when that happens your belief grows.

“At the very least we have to be in the top four; we must do that. I wanted this challenge.”