Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has praised the impact made by manager Louis van Gaal, saying the Dutchman has "put some players' feet back on the ground."
Fellaini's fine performances in recent weeks have helped fourth-placed United establish a five-point lead over fifth-placed Liverpool in the race for next season's Champions League.
Without directly criticising his former Everton and United manager David Moyes -- who brought him to Old Trafford in 2013 -- the Belgium international told reporters he believed Van Gaal was the right man for a club of United's stature.
"The coach is very strict, but that's good," he said in quotes reported by the Daily Mirror. "We needed such a coach.
"Last season we had a bad season -- we even missed European qualification. We needed a coach who would put some players' feet back on the ground.
"If he says something, you should do it. Otherwise, if he has to take you off the pitch when the game hasn't been going on for more than 30 minutes he'll do it. Or during half-time. Fortunately, that hasn't happened to me yet."
Fellaini said Van Gaal had been true to his word in giving him a chance to establish himself in his plans.
"He told me: 'Prove yourself and we'll see,' he said. "Now they are counting on me. There were never any real doubts for me.
"I was injured at the beginning of the season and then returned. The coach gave me confidence, and I proved myself in a few matches.
"After that, I was injured and I got sick. For three weeks I was on antibiotics. It took a while, but now I can finally enjoy things."