Some sloppy passes and crosses in the first half but the signs are very positive. Great to see him back.
Rafael da Silva | 2010-14 Performances
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made it to the room without getting hurt and played pretty well. only hung evans out to dry once, i believe, and saved a goal. not a bad day.
It was nice to see him at right back. Pretty good game as well.
Great game for him. Valencia and Rafael could be devastating on the right side.
Rafael is one of my favourite players. Love the crazy little bastard.
Rafael is one of my favourite players. Love the crazy little bastard.
I wanna huggle him. Nice to see him back and hopefully Fergie will stick with and making sure Smalling is played centrally and Jones can fill in CM or at RB when needed.
Good to see him in starting line-up, and - more important - for 90 minutes.
But, against Arsenal (and against Liverpool and Chelsea) Phil Jones will probably be a better option.
But, against Arsenal (and against Liverpool and Chelsea) Phil Jones will probably be a better option.
If he puts in a couple more performances like that over the next few weeks, I can see him forcing into the first choice right back for the run-in. Would be no bad thing either, would give Smalling/Jones/Ferdinand a little more rest as and when they need it.
not too hard though.
So glad to see him back in the starting XI and in his proper position too. He's got so much energy and tenacity. His defensive work has come on leaps and bounds since a few seasons back and he showed his intelligence today in taking up key positions off the ball so he was in the right place at the right time e.g. to clear the ball off the line and then to block Petrov's goal bound shot. We all know how effective he is going forward and he linked up well with Valencia and you couple that with his solidity as a defender and you've got, to my mind, the best right full back in the country potentially.
Why? Has he never played good teams before?
His return could be very important for us. As an all action RB he's just so enthusiastic in that role. The only thing holding him back has been those niggling injuries otherwise that spot would be nailed down already.
I can't see Ferguson leaving Jones on the bench for Arsenal and I don't think he'll play in midfield - Carrick, Giggs (maybe + Anderson/Scholes) will start.
I'm really glad he's back, but I'd still choose Jones at RB for Arsenal.
Rafael is criminally underrated for some people. Always thinking he can't defend..
He was great so quick and skilful, got a great cross on him too.
Against sides with a big striker we dont tend to go with both rafael and Evra. We play a taller player at rightback and this lets the defence shift across so that the left centreback can help out Evra in the air.
Stereo-typed!
Great to see him back and a really good performance too. I really hope he can stay fit and push on now. He's a really got outlet on that right hand side and the more he plays the more his final ball/decision making will improve. It's something we're missing at the mo, a good attacking outlet at right back. Also relieves some of the pressure at the back as well as we don't have to constantly play all our centrebacks.
I think if you switch Evans for Vidic that was our best back 5 today.
Hope he can stay fit now, he's such a big talant. Rafael and Valencia on the right side please.
No doubts about his ability to support attacks.Today he showed some better defensive awareness and one great clearance off the line.
Stay clear of injuries and we may yet have our first choice RB
Stay clear of injuries and we may yet have our first choice RB
I think we'll go with Rafael at RB and Jones+Carrick+Giggs in midfield. Can't see us playing 4-4-2 away to them again.
Aye, but when did we play 4-3-3 last time?
I think it depends on Welbeck injury. If he's out, I can't see us starting with Hernandez up front, he's totally ouf of form and I don't think that Berbatov away to Arsenal would be a good idea.
With Valencia and Nani's ability on the wings, I'm not sure Giggs is the best option to start
Carrick / Jones and Rooney having to drop deep to help make numbers and we could theoretically play with 2 strikers on the field. For games where we need that extra energy in CM - Carrick/Jones with the likes of any of the other CM options (Ando, Scholes, Giggs) also makes a good solid platform.
Rafael at RB - how many big games has he played at RB for us and played well? A good many.
Rafael Evans Rio Evra
or
Smalling Evans Rio Evra
or
Smalling Evans Rio Evra
Very measured performance by him today; for his first start in a while, I thought the little fellow was excellent.
Given his relative inexperience that's a bit of a sweeping statement to make.I'd say he's as many good as he's had ones showing inexperience.He just needs a run of games,ones like the Bolton game where he can learn
Rafael is a very similar player to Evra, when we play with those two it's like having four wingers at times.
If he can stay injury free, he's going to be the best right back in the world within a couple of years. He's just so good.
Rafael for me -- he brings pace into the attack -- considering that we can be quite lumbering going forward, he is a welcome addition back.
I hope not. Rafael is better.
Rafael should start if fit. comfortable our best RB.
The kid had a great game today, and along with Valencia their play on the right side was giving Notlob absolute fits!
Raf made a couple of really great tackles and mixed that with a couple of great moves going forward. I think we have all seen his potential, hopefully he can stay fit (avoid the red cards) and earn a regular place in the team. Too much to ask???
His mad runs are both exciting and scary at the same time. He is prone to leaving us badly exposed at the back on occasion, especially if Valencia get's caught up front too, but if he can offset that with a couple of goals I'd be OK with that.
As for Jones at RB I'd much prefer to see him giving us another option in midfield next week alongside Carrick. With Scholes, Giggs, Anderson & possibly Park in support (on an as-needed basis)
Raf made a couple of really great tackles and mixed that with a couple of great moves going forward. I think we have all seen his potential, hopefully he can stay fit (avoid the red cards) and earn a regular place in the team. Too much to ask???
His mad runs are both exciting and scary at the same time. He is prone to leaving us badly exposed at the back on occasion, especially if Valencia get's caught up front too, but if he can offset that with a couple of goals I'd be OK with that.
As for Jones at RB I'd much prefer to see him giving us another option in midfield next week alongside Carrick. With Scholes, Giggs, Anderson & possibly Park in support (on an as-needed basis)
The difference with Rafael at right back is that his movement and basic instinctive reactions are those of a right back. And his defensive abilities are hugely underrated. Ive always been a fan of his, and think he's right up as far as talent goes.
Jones in the midfield against Arsenal...
Rafael on the right back slot...
Rafael on the right back slot...
Not yet. Rio hasn't quite looked the part in the last few games, but it has to be remembered that he was the same for the first few games after his previous injury, but then he suddenly looked back to his best (not quite, but still bloody great). Hopefully he'll do the same thing this time - take a couple of games to get going but then be fantastic again.
Of course, he may not get a chance now with his most recent concussion.
I think he takes our attacking force to the next level. Such a great option to have on the right with Valencia. Got a great right foot on him as well, and very prone to the one man drive every now and again.
If he can maintain his fitness I think we have one of the best full backs in the world.
If he can maintain his fitness I think we have one of the best full backs in the world.
I agree.
He's having another brilliant performance so far today and I echo what unitedbhoy said in the post above mine too. Him and Valencia work well together.
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