Rafael da Silva | 2010-14 Performances

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Rio is a sick note, Evra won't play every game anymore, Evans is the new Oshea, Smalling and Jones will fill in at RB and in the middle.

When Rafael is back and fit he will start most games at RB. He is too good not to.
 
cw1984 said:
I don't think it's much of an issue. We have 8 defenders for 4 spots. If he's fit he'll get plenty of games. It's up to him to keep his place.
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Good point. Though I was thinking more of being first choice.

I'm not sure if I'd prefer Rafael, Jones or Smalling at this point. But I suppose I think Rafael would stick around to try to win his place back, if one of the other two became first choice, though who knows really. Players always say they love the club.
 
gooDevil said:
Good point. Though I was thinking more of being first choice.

I'm not sure if I'd prefer Rafael, Jones or Smalling at this point. But I suppose I think Rafael would stick around to try to win his place back, if one of the other two became first choice, though who knows really. Players always say they love the club.
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Right now Jones would be my choice without doubt.
 
I think Smalling's experience last season with United is a big part of him being a better defender, imo, than Jones, so depending on the opposition I'd want Smallling with Rio and Vida.

Rafael is probably more well rounded than the other two, he's had even more experience and he's improved his positioning and defending the whole time.

In fact Fabio got games at RB over Rafeal last season IIRC, so he should be in contention.

But the question did come to my mind because I can see Jones nailing down the spot himself before Rafael even comes back.
 
Rafael would be my first choice RB quite easily when fit and in form.
 
I prefer Smalling, he has the strength, pace and the added bonus of his height which we can use in both in defence and attack.
 
Manchester United's full-back Rafael could take a significant step towards a return to the first team this week.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will consider playing the 21-year-old Brazilian in the reserves against Everton on Thursday.

Rafael has been out since August, when he had surgery on a shoulder injury.

Ferguson said: "Rafael has been training for over a week. It was a big operation on his shoulder and we hope we can maybe fit a game in for him - maybe the next reserve game.

"He's coming along fine, there has been no setback and he has been training every day."

Rafael's return could prove timely, with Chris Smalling having been ruled out for a month with a fractured foot.
 
Good news he's on his way back. We desperately need numbers at the back. Unbelievable how many defensive injuries we've had this season so far, not helped by a couple of our experiences defenders being out of form.
 
Is he back in full training? Miss seeing him all over our right side!
 
Shimo said:
Played for the reserves Thursday so am assuming yes back in full training.
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Thanks for the update, find it hard to keep up with the reserves these days. Hopefully he'll be back in the first team before too long!
 
RedLars said:
Thanks for the update, find it hard to keep up with the reserves these days. Hopefully he'll be back in the first team before too long!
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I miss Rafael as well but right now are we sure he'll get back in the side ahead of Jones?
 
Smores said:
I miss Rafael as well but right now are we sure he'll get back in the side ahead of Jones?
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I'd have him in like a shot. Square pegs and all that. Positioning better. Gary Neville did a bit on how to mark Bale before the Villa Spurs game a minute ago, Rafael against him last year, lovely little montage, reminded me how much I miss him. Seemed to me to be improving by the week. Hope he gets a decent run of fitness now.
 
Smores said:
I miss Rafael as well but right now are we sure he'll get back in the side ahead of Jones?
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Without question for me. Jones got a bit of a pasting from Sinclair imo and it was forgotten about because of that great run at the end. Rafael is our long term right back and I'll like to see him back there ASAP. Jones will get plenty of games at CB which is the position he needs to play and improve in alongside Rio or Vidic.
 
With Jones' loss of form Rafael surely deserves a chance to reclaim his spot at right back?
 
It must be fitness. Our attack would have improved massively had he been on the pitch instead of Jones.
 
Fergie is doing something really smart with Rafael. City is a physical side as are Newcastle. No point rushing in an injury prone defender. He just need to slowly be re introduced so that there is limited risk of injury. Build his strength back up.
 
Bolton game is perfect for him. Hopefully that will be the start of a long run in the side.
 
Very strange the way Fergie's been so reluctant to play him, especially when he's even resorted to playing Valencia ahead of him.

Bringing him back gradually from injury might make sense but didn't he have a dislocated shoulder? He'll have been running/kicking a ball for ages, not to mention playing at least one full reserves game.

Can only assume he's playing shite in training.
 
It's possible Rafael's amazing diffidence with regards to Blackburn's winner put him in Ferguson's black book.

Hoping to see him back sooner rather than later. He's been missed.
 
Sharky7 said:
Jones will get plenty of games at CB which is the position he needs to play and improve in alongside Rio or Vidic.
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Hate to disagree with you, Sharky, but I prefer Smalling alongside Rio or Vidic. Just think he's a better CB than Jones.
 
He got a hamstring strain i think when he returned from the shoulder injury and has been a bit prone to knocks/niggles in the last 12 months.

Its probably considered to be a risk to start Rafael/Fabio when you run the risk of wasting a substitution on them every game. Probably seen to be better to have them in reserve than having them injured. Hopefully they'll be doing a lot of strengthening work behind the scenes to improve their durability.
 
I think we've missed him, especially on last season's form. And its led to Smalling playing too much at RB (Good cover, but we dont want him starting there week to week) and now perhaps Valencia at RB too much when his form suggests he should be playing on the right wing.

Jones has been the best RB this season but his last outing was unimpressive. Rafael has remained first choice for me and I cant wait till he's back playing frequently.
 
Jones needs a rest IMO, I'd start Rafael against Bolton if he's fit.
 
Such a prospect this boy, just stay fit! One little thing though with his heroic block, I was always taught to never turn my back on the ball, if it has to hit you in the face then so be it. What if the guy dummies it, your head is turned and you won't be able to recover as quick. But yeah, top player and character this boy.
 
He finished the game!!!

july-celebrations-light-crackers.jpg
 
If he stays fit hell be our first choice right back. Quality.
 
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