The second was the worst. I mean, Carrick and Scholes were sitting back deep and didnt participate at all in the final third yet when Spurs take us on the counter they are both completely missing. Scholes just jogged back, not attempting to stop the counter and Carrick was nowhere to be seen.
Rafael da Silva | 2010-14 Performances
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The second was the worst. I mean, Carrick and Scholes were sitting back deep and didnt participate at all in the final third yet when Spurs take us on the counter they are both completely missing. Scholes just jogged back, not attempting to stop the counter and Carrick was nowhere to be seen.
Carrick was our furthest player up the pitch when we lost the ball. Scholes taken out of the game with a simple sidestep and the midfield was gone.
Carrick just can't do that when playing only with Scholes in midfield with Giggs slow on the left and Nani not bothered too much about defensive duties on the right. Plus no Rooney means that as soon as we lose the ball there is no one able to track back.
I can understand why Carrick wants to run forward with us 0-1 down, but with the players in our midfield at that time he should've been more sensible.
However this is a thread about Rafael so I'm sorry for derailing it. I agree with those who say he has been playing well this season.
Another good game. Brilliant defensively. Evra should take lessons.
He is a very good defender. Most people can see that.
His problem is his tendency to switch off, which to be fair has been less frequent the last couple of seasons.
This season he'll have the right back slot for his own. Started off brilliantly, by far our best defender.
His problem is his tendency to switch off, which to be fair has been less frequent the last couple of seasons.
This season he'll have the right back slot for his own. Started off brilliantly, by far our best defender.
Really positive start to the season. He is maturing on the pitch nicely and he's been our best player recently...easily too. Good lad.
His positioning can be excellent at times, particulary in the box. In last two Champions league game he made at least 3-4 last ditch headers where the ball goes through our whole defence and Rafael clears it as a last defender. His offensive play is good, and his defensive play is getting better by every game, plus his workrate is fantastic, reminds me of our legendary number 2.
I hope I won't jynx him, but it's nice to see him lasting for 90 minutes and staying fit, especially now when he is playing every game.
I like Rafael, I really do.
I hope I won't jynx him, but it's nice to see him lasting for 90 minutes and staying fit, especially now when he is playing every game.
I like Rafael, I really do.
I'd have his babies.
You mean after the terrible one he had at Spurs?!
Anyway, glad to see him bounce back to a good performance today. Not as good as he can be going forward, but definitely solid at the back.
He was very good tonight and has generally been very good all season. Maybe the lack of options there giving him a run in the team have been beneficial. Long may it continue. The position has been there for the taking for a while.
I hope any imminent return of Smalling doesn't mean chopping and changing of the RB position. Rafael doesn't deserve that after the start he has made this season
I share your concern. I'd like to see Smalling back in central defence, Ferdinand & Evans are not convincing in the slightest right now.
Proof positive of the value of a regular start.
Our best and/or our most consistent player this season?
Bar Evans positioning, Rio and Evans have been terrific in all matches except against Tottenham, so that comment is bullshit.
Superb tonight
Showing real maturity in defence and not making any silly mistakes
Here's to some consistency with these performances
Showing real maturity in defence and not making any silly mistakes
Here's to some consistency with these performances
Yeah agreed. Plus Evans has just come off an outstanding season last year in which he was our best defender and one of the players of the year, so he deserves to keep his place over Smalling.
Don't think there is a chance of Jonny losing his position as 3rd choice, he's more likely to move up to 2nd choice instead of Rio than down to 4th.
Anyway, Raf was amazing again and will be our first choice right back for years. Incredible buy from Fergie.
This lad really is coming on leaps and bounds, my Dad was always been his biggest critic and even he's rated him this season.
If Fabio progressed similarly we'll be laughing...
If Fabio progressed similarly we'll be laughing...
Hopefully continues this good form.
I love him. One of my favourite players. Defo should keep his spot in the team and hopefully he cements it this season
Wonder if receiving the number two shirt has had any effect?
Have been terrific so far, hopefully that he'll become an integral part of the brasilian national team.
Has been playing very well recently and is on of our most consistent player. What I like about him is his attitude and fighting spirit that others lack at times
Yup. He's proven time and time again he's actually a very capable defender. Always makes me laugh when fans, pundits and commentators still say he can't defend. His problem has always been concentration.
Us fans have always known that if he could stay fit for a period of time that spot will be his.
So far this season he's showing that.
Staying fit is the largest contributing factor.
Injury is 4,3,2,1...
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...united-player-of-the-month-for-september.aspx
Well done! Video is awfull btw.
Well done! Video is awfull btw.
Very mature performance from Rafael on Tuesday night.
He's our second leading scorer.
Deserved the player of the month. Though that video that they put up was rubbish. Instead of highlights half the video was just him holding his head or looking about, surely they could have filled the time with more proper highlights. He had enough nice little runs into the box to do so during September.
So far he's proven what most of us have known for a while now, that if you give him an uninterrupted run in the first team he will turn into a fantastic fullback. I remember he had a similar run at the start of 10/11 season where people were saying he was the best fullback in the league, and then he got injured and didn't have much luck until now. Hopefully he manages to stay injury free, but when he is fit he is by far our best fullback.
But surely concentration is a massive component in defending?
Indeed it is. What's the point in knowing "how" to defend if your brain switches off and you don't use that knowledge?
What do you think is the easiest to iron out of your game?
A lack of concentration, or a lack of defensive nous?
One clue: Rio.
EDIT: Oh, and what's the point of being a great finisher who gets 30 a season if you lose your composure at times and misses a few?
Heard he was player of the month - totally deserved. He's reached a new level this season despite not having a Summer off.
It's great that we've finally knuckled down someone in that right back area.
It's great that we've finally knuckled down someone in that right back area.
Meh, as soon as Jones and Smalling back he'll still be unjustly benched for 5 games if he makes one minor mistake.
That's a bit of a surprise for me. He has been really good when going forward but his defending was poor at times.
Indeed.
Good to see that he got player of the month, totally deserved. I hope that Fergie will continue to play him cause his best form is when he has a run of games.
Like everyone then.
Yes but he's much better than Smalling and Jones if SAF gives him a run of games. Playing 1 in 5 like last year, and he is nothing special. Playing in most of the games and he can become the best right back in the league.
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