I think he was just about flawless today. I dont remember him missing a tackle. He was brilliant and he should start at RB from here on out. Excellent performance
Rafael da Silva | 2010-14 Performances
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He was brilliant. How many tackles did he make? Didn't miss a single one. Very disappointed he got subbed.
Yep he had a great game. I thought he should have stayed on, so we could have kept valencia higher up. If he can work on his fitness and injuries he'll be a great player.
He's fantastic.
I couldn't believe he was taken off. Some of Sir Alex's subs of late have been baffling to me.
Yep. the tackling bit will improve as he matures. if he gets some luck with injuries, god he'l be some player. fantastic..
He was a motherfeckin' beast out there.
It was tactical.
The equaliser came from the combo of Valencia and Welbeck down the right, who crossed for Rooney.
People on here were telling me Smalling was a better RB 
. He's nowhere near Rafael's level. The only time he should be picked ahead of Rafael is because of his height when we play the likes of Stoke.
. He's nowhere near Rafael's level. The only time he should be picked ahead of Rafael is because of his height when we play the likes of Stoke.It's an easy one to make though, for a few reasons: Rafael is most likely player on our team to tire near the end of the match; he's also likely to get into trouble with a foul he doesn't need to make; and Valencia's adaptability at right-back means we can throw another winger on that side when we're chasing the game. Definitely sound reasoning for Fergie there.
Such a good player.
Some people have their preconceptions though and it's difficult to shake them off.
Some people have their preconceptions though and it's difficult to shake them off.
It's a fair argument but I think it depends who you're bringing on. Taking off rafael and moving valencia deeper is fine if you say have Nani/Young ahead of him, players who can do serious damage, but if it's welbeck, whos not really suited to playing out wide and then park I don't see as much value in it.
Brilliant today. Virtually every decision and touch was perfect.
Lost Mata on the second goal though. Or am I remembering it wrong?
If we get Fabio playing like him on the Left, then I'll be fecking delighted. Top players, with great attitudes, need to stay fit and consistent.
Sounds to me like you're underrating Park. Plenty value in it.
He was marking Malouda
You're not but that was his only mistake of the day. He dominated Malouda in the first half. Chelsea really didn't get a sniff down our right flank until he got caught cold at the start of the second half. Rafa's going from strength to strength and I can only see him improving to be frank. I hate to say it but if Patrice had been caught out as little as Rafael was today then the 1st and 2nd goals might have been avoided...
I dunno, you could also be undervaluing Rafael. Also I think Park is a lot better on the left where he can drift inside than he is on the right. I mean it's not conclusive sometimes someone like Park could add something but not as much as say nani/young. And as rafael was playing really well I didn't see the need for it. Especially as it means valencia has to play deeper and so it likely to have less of an impact from deep as well.
the only defender we have who'll actually challenge the man with the ball. everyone else backs up. we need more of that attitude from everyone.
He was left with 2 men
Nah he had malouda. One of the midfielders should have been tracking mata. But tbh in the role he had it's always hard to track that player. Got to blame our players on the left for not getting to Torres quicker, he had way too much time.
Well the downside of that is that he gives away a lot of free kicks. But today he judged everything right, even the free kick he did give away was an incorrect decision by Webb.
I'm not underrating Rafael, because I didn't actually say anything negative about him, and just tried to show the (fair) reasoning behind subbing Rafael.
Your point about not being conclusive is fairly obvious tbf mate, a sub can work out one day and fail horribly the next. Park has done well for us before on the wing so I don't think it's fair to say there's no value in bringing him on.
Our best defender today. Great interceptions and tackles as well
and the cross should never have occurred.
Not exactly, but yeah, he wasnt at fault. I think it was Rio who has not picked up his man so Rafael had to help Evans out.
may have been true some moths back. He has been spot on recently.
The RB position is his by right. The only concern is that he is still growing and will get injured now and then.
MOM before the sub.
He has been phenomenal the last two games he has played! Very composed in defence and excellent going forward... He's showing signs of being a truly good right back!
I'm not saying there's no value in it, I'm saying in this situation where Rafael is playing well and Valencia is in the form he is, that I don't think we needed to first move welbeck there and then bring on park there, both players who are good but not really that creative from that position. If it had been Nani/Young then fair enough, but today I don't think it was neccessary.
Give him the #2 jersey. He deserves it
That was my main problem with the sub. Yes Rafael was very good and that alone made me somewhat question the sub, but the fact that it meant moving Valencia to right back is the main reason I didn't understand it.
You may have a point to be fair, I felt you were a bit harsh on Park at first is all!
He's definitely a superior winger to Welbeck though!
Immense is the only word.
You may have a point to be fair, I felt you were a bit harsh on Park at first is all!
He's definitely a superior winger to Welbeck though!
Yeah mate definately, I love Park but as fergie has always said horses for courses.
Need a gif of his touch halfway through the 2nd half where he just killed a high ball completely, whilst under pressure from a Chelsea attacker.
seconded.
He was excellent today and unlucky to be the casualty of a tactical choice which did pay off.
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