Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini may be the star of the soccer photograph of 2017

Manchester United's Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini already created some interesting images with a head band on his distinctive hair during Tuesday night's Super Cup clash with Real Madrid. / AFP PHOTO / Nikolay DOYCHINOVNIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP/Getty Images

Kevin Palmer

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini joined in with the fun after an image of his contorted faced in Tuesday night's UEFA Super Cup match against Real Madrid became a social media hit.

Fellaini has often been the subject of abuse on Twitter from United fans after his indifferent performances for the club over the last four years, yet he saw the funny side of a image that appeared to show his face turning to jelly as the ball struck him in the face.

"Thank you to everyone who posted & sent me this," stated the Belgian with a cluster of laughing emojis, with reaction to the image confirming was happy to smile at his own expense.

Fellaini's United team-mate Phil Jones has often been the focus of ridicule due to the curious facial expressions he has served up on the field at crucial moments, yet none can match this incredible image of Fellaini, which must already be a strong contender to win the sports photograph of the year award.

Fellaini produced plenty of interesting images during the game in Skopje as he was forced to weak a headband to try and stem the flow of blood from head wound, with Twitter observers quick to poke what were jovial snipes in his direction: