Marouane Fellaini has revealed that his family were hurt by the criticism he received during his difficult first year at Manchester United.
Fellaini, 27, became one of the most expensive players in United's history when he joined for 27.5 million pounds from Everton in September 2013.
However, the Belgium international failed to score a goal in his first season at Old Trafford as the defending Premier League champions only finished seventh.
And Fellaini became a target in a year when he struggled with injuries and poor form as he was then-manager David Moyes' first major signing and had followed the Scot from Goodison Park.
"The criticism didn't affect me," Fellaini told The Times. "I care a little bit about what people say, of course, but I also have to put it out of my mind and do my job. My concern was for my family, my mum and dad and my brothers, because when [critics] were saying bad things about me I know it will have been very hard for them.
"I would speak to them and tell them that I would continue to work hard and hopefully it would come good. Thankfully, that is what is happening.
"It was a difficult moment because in all my career I hadn't experienced anything like it. I played as a professional in Belgium for two years, I played with Everton for five, I have played with the national team for a long time and it was the first time I'd faced a situation like this. I learnt a lot."
Fellaini, though, has won a place back in the team under new manager Louis van Gaal and has started in United's last eight games.
He added: "I know the club now. I know the players. I am more confident and I am injury-free. That is why this season is better for me. 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 [Moyes] had brought me with him [from Everton], but that was something I had to deal with."
United have won their last six games to go up to third in the Premier League table and, while they finished 25 points behind champions Manchester City last season, Fellaini believes they could mount a title challenge this time around.
"Last season was not good enough for Manchester United," he said. "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."