Just popping in today to say this was probably his best performance of the season. He did really well. Effortless defending, good attacking. Very impressed with him. More of the same please.
Rafael da Silva | 2010-14 Performances
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Fergie called him Rafa Beni.... in the post game interview on Sky. Poor Rafael
More than anything else I hope he doesn't burnout.He's been sensational so far
absolutely fantastic this season.
I know some people might think I'm overreacting, but I honestly think he's so far clearly been the best RB in the PL this season.
I know some people might think I'm overreacting, but I honestly think he's so far clearly been the best RB in the PL this season.
That is not an overreaction at all, it is a sensible comment.
Gary Neville seems to be up Zabaleta's arse quite a lot, but he offers virtually nothing going forward compared to Rafa. I think that Zabaleta is probably better defensively, but not by much, and Rafa is much better going forward. Lets remember too: PZ is a seasoned pro - Rafa is still developing.
Zabaleta is a proper defender. Tough as nails.
Those two have been the best full backs in the league from what I've seen this season (which is quite a lot, I imagine I've seen all the teams at least twice).
Now, quick, before Pete barges in to try and tell me that Sagna who can't even get in the side ahead of Jenkinson (
) is the best.
Those two have been the best full backs in the league from what I've seen this season (which is quite a lot, I imagine I've seen all the teams at least twice).
Now, quick, before Pete barges in to try and tell me that Sagna who can't even get in the side ahead of Jenkinson (
) is the best.One thing for sure, he's definitely up there and he's only 22. Hope to see a YT compilation of his performance yesterday.
I'll second that second sentence, in the hope that it may motivate someone to get it done.
I worked for a few weeks at the Telegraph a couple of years ago. TV desk not Sports, but when I told them I knew a bit about football they let me write all the match previews for the TV section. Mostly it was fine, but only if you willingly adopted that slightly cliched style, and only used the usual catalogue of 'points of interest.' As soon as you tried to say anything out of the norm or insightful, you'd get a shake of the head from the editor and have to change it.
I remember trying to draw attention, before a United-West Ham match I think it was, to the fact that two Mexican national teamers, Hernandez and Barrera, would be coming face-to-face as new Premier League imports. Got told to just mention that Rooney hadn't scored for ages, which was the exact same line they'd taken for the past four games.
I imagine the TV previews are lowest common denominator, aimed at readers who watch an occasional football match, but who mostly aren't even fans. Many will recognize Hernandez as that Mexican kid who plays for Manchester United, but most have no clue about Barrera, and could care less.
As you learned yourself, of course.
Just checking their comparative stats on WS
All stats are avg/game
Defensively
Rafa makes 3.4 tackles per game, 2.2 interceptions, 4.8 clearances and gets dribbled 1.2 times.
Zabaleta makes 4.1 tackles per game, 2 interceptions, 3.6 clearances and gets dribbled 0.8 times.
Attacking
Rafa has 2 goals, 1 assist; he makes 1.2 key passes per game; he makes 0.7 successful dribbles and gets dispossessed 0.8 times per game.
Zabaleta has 0 goals, 0 assists; he makes 0.2 key passes per games; he makes 0.1 successful dribbles per game and gets dispossessed 0.4 times per game.
Passing
Rafa makes an average of 53.8 passes per game with a 88.1% success rate.
Zabaleta makes 46.3 passes per game with an 88.2% success rate.
I imagine the TV previews are lowest common denominator, aimed at readers who watch an occasional football match, but who mostly aren't even fans. Many will recognize Hernandez as that Mexican kid who plays for Manchester United, but most have no clue about Barrera, and could care less.
As you learned yourself, of course.
Apologies that gets on my nerves!
Why did you quote me? I know Zabaleta's a good defender, which is why I said it.
If we'd had a MOTM thread for the West Ham game he'd have just edged Anderson for me, great performance to add to his ever growing list for this season.
Why did you quote me? I know Zabaleta's a good defender, which is why I said it.
Just to making the comparison, it was not a loaded reply in anyway! Take it easy.
Interesting though, PZ, statistically, offers virtually nothing going forward. One thing that the stats do not factor for is how much territorial gain the player wins for his team when moving with the ball relatively unopposed, however, I wouldn't have thought that PZ beats Rafa in this respect either. Of course these stats do not appreciate positional play, it would be interesting to see how many chances are conceded down each players flank.
Apologies that gets on my nerves!
After all these years, to have finally fallen victim to an English usage vampire.
I think it's a credit to Rafael that his defensive contribution is so good it measures against a defender of Zabaleta's calibre. He's really going places, our young brazilian.
In 6 years time Pete will still tell us he's poor defensively.
After all these years, to have finally fallen victim to an English usage vampire.
You really need to check out David Mitchell's rant on this subject.
After all these years, to have finally fallen victim to an English usage vampire.
Mwahahahah!
I said about two months ago that he's captaincy material when Vidic moves on, oh how they scoffed.
Mojo nails it again.
Mojo nails it again.
He hasn't been diving in nearly as often this season, which makes a big difference.
The man has made a remarkable contribution this term. His progression has been a joy to watch. Remember the days of Neville/Becks and the joy we used have down the flank. Tony gets himself back firing and that's one of the most threatening wing combinations in world football IMO
He clearly improved his precision and timing with all sorts of tackling. Kid always had talent but now he added some sharp instinct to his game.
His cooperation with Valencia and others can only get better and it surely will.
If only Fabio could catch that positive wave... fingers crossed.
His cooperation with Valencia and others can only get better and it surely will.
If only Fabio could catch that positive wave... fingers crossed.
The biggest improvement I have seen in him this season is that he is staying on his feet rather then sliding in at every opportunity.
It's nice that for once, a promising talent has done exactly what we all predicted, rather than finding a way to have a meltdown or become mediocre. He came, he was raw but talented, we all said sooner or later he'd tie down the RB spot and end up as the best in the league. And he's done it.
Next, the world!
Next, the world!
He's been fantastic so far. He's improved so much and managed to keep fit (god forbid!). He's been one of our most consistent performers and long may it continue.
Some say that foreigners don't have the same passion playing here as the English/British players do, but I think with Rafael it's different. You can see the passion he has, he'd run through a brick wall for the cause.
Some say that foreigners don't have the same passion playing here as the English/British players do, but I think with Rafael it's different. You can see the passion he has, he'd run through a brick wall for the cause.
Great to see that his overall contribution to the Manchester United team is appreciated. No doubt he has the talent and he is applying it. He looks very confident on the ball and seems willing to do the hard work and reap the rewards.
Good to have him in the team and his energy and enthusiasm will hopefully provide much needed inspiration to the rest of the team.
Good to have him in the team and his energy and enthusiasm will hopefully provide much needed inspiration to the rest of the team.
That's not really true though. Cantona, Ole, Evra, Vidic, Berbatov etc..
In fact ignoring the ones that came through the ranks I think Rafael and Hernandez seem to be the most thankful for the opportunity to represent the club. I hope the fans cut them some slack when they do hit a bad patch.
My favorite player for more than a year now. He's just everything that a Manchester United should be like.
Self praise is no praise.
Would still like to see him given a little break at some point...maybe over the xmas...
Love him to bits. He's been amazing this season. Really wish some of the other lads would show the same passion, desire and fight that Rafa does. You can just tell how much winning means to him. Its like having a fan playing in the team. Has the potential to be a legend here, he really does.
I do, however, find it quite worrying just how much better he is at dribbling and crossing then our supposed wingers are these days. I reckon he'd make an amazing winger himself tbh.
I do, however, find it quite worrying just how much better he is at dribbling and crossing then our supposed wingers are these days. I reckon he'd make an amazing winger himself tbh.
Future captain IMO.
El loco capitan
El loco capitan
There is an urgency and purpose in his play. Something that is often lacking with quite a few of our players. He is always positive and looking to affect the game.
I dont think Zabaleta is that good at all. He's v solid generally but lacks something. Initially he was a liability on the left, got a yellow card every 2nd game. He's worked wonders on that side of his game tbf to him. Hes far better on the right but i still think he isnt a natural full back at all. Its actually a weakness City have had for a while now in term of right back.
I think that he is a good defender but City play a tighter system than us so it is easier for him to be adept at that side of things, he offers too little going forward though.
I've seen him close up in the reserves a few times in the last 3-4 years and he has been unbelievable on the right wing. The same can be said for Fabio up on the left wing, both scored and created lots of goals when they did play.
I'm desperately trying to find my post where I said that it's pretty clear he is going to be one of the best right backs in Europe or something of the sort.
It's still a bit premature but being a smug cnut when I'm right is one of my favourite things.
It's still a bit premature but being a smug cnut when I'm right is one of my favourite things.
What a fecking class he has become, he is joy to watch.
I feel sorry for him because he is our best player this season by mile, but van Persie or Rooney will score goal or two in our next game people will say they have been our best players this season.
I feel sorry for him because he is our best player this season by mile, but van Persie or Rooney will score goal or two in our next game people will say they have been our best players this season.
On top of that, you're layman fan and rival fans still don't like him because he is "rash" "a liability" and "not very good defensively".
It makes my blood boil when I hear that bollocks. Watch the feckin' game.
Yeah, that's shit, but as long as he is playing like this, I wouldn't swap him for any other fullback in the world.
Neither would I.
The thing I love about him is that you could throw him into any game, against Messi or Ronaldo if you like and you'd fancy him to have the game of his life and work his ass off.
He's such a feisty and determined little sod and I love that he's our feisty and determined little sod.
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