He is playing in one of the biggest leagues in the world for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Constantly playing in the champions league. He is in exactly the right place to get the attention. He doesn't need to go anywhere for that.
Rafael da Silva | 2010-14 Performances
- Thread starter amolbhatia50k
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Good kids these Da Silvas.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...p-pressure-compared-Brazil.html#ixzz2V0Q5yVDr
Won't be long until he will be considered undroppable and then he'll make Scolari look like an idiot.
If Rafael isn't in the WC squad next year it's a farce.
Is there anything more than guesswork to suggest why he's not being picked for them? I've heard a lot about how he was scapegoated for that poor performance in the Olympic final (ridiculous given that in every other match he was one of their best players), but are there any quotes or anything to back that up.
It's in the article posted by AC:
** article obviously mixed them up there.
Rafa deserves to be in that team, he's been brilliant this season they need to get over one fecking mistake.
It really is.
Ah, cheers, should have looked myself.
It's ridiculous. There's not really even that much between him and Dani Alves any more. He's more productive, statistically, going forward, even though Alves plays for Barcelona. And Alves has repeatedly been at the heart of Barca's defensive problems this season. Certainly against Madrid he always seems to be at fault for goals.
So arguably Rafa should not only be going, but starting.
This makes no sense to me, Dante and Luiz are left backs?
Nope, but there was probably a minimal amount of words he had to make for the article.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...l-exclusive-interview-with-inside-united.aspx
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Firstly, congratulations, Rafael, on winning the title again…
It was an amazing season but maybe we could have won against Real Madrid in the Champions League, you know. However, being a champion means that it is a very, very good season.
It’s incredible that your first response is to pick up on a rare negative from the campaign...
Exactly, that’s the mentality, yes? We couldn’t win against Madrid and we were disappointed about that but it’s okay. We won the league title and I think we were focused this season to get the trophy back to Old Trafford.
Surely there is no doubt Unitere were the best team given the way the final table looked?
If you see the points difference at the top, you can definitely say we are the best team this season. Like I have just said, we have been so focused. We came back in some games to recover points when we were losing and it has been very good overall.
How do you view the season on a personal level?
I think I have just been consistent this season. I think I am getting more mature, like I’ve always said, and it has been a very good season for me.
At one point you played 20 out of 21 games. Did that help you?
I am pretty sure I’ve never played that many in a row before! That consistency is so good for a player and I am very happy to have enjoyed that.
Sir Alex put you among his top four contenders for the Player of the Year award. How did that make you feel?
That’s very nice to hear coming from him. There are such good players at United, and the fact that he picked me as one of the four [Robin van Persie, Michael Carrick and David De Gea were the others] is so good. I’m very happy.
Was it important the manager got his message across last season when we had the disappointing ending?
Exactly. After the game at Sunderland, when we were in the bus, he said to the young players: ‘See what happened today. Don’t forget that'. I must never forget it so I’ll make sure I will always remember this.
Which of your goals was your favourite? Liverpool or QPR?
My favourite one is QPR because they played so hard in closing everyone down and working together so maybe it was harder to score a goal but I managed to get one. I think it's the best one I've ever scored.
Which was your best performance?
That’s QPR as well, I think. I played very well. I did play some good games – I was very good against Everton at home, too. I did well in both those games.
Which team-mate gave the best individual performance?
I think Robin, against Aston Villa. Against Southampton he scored a hat-trick too but he missed a penalty in that game. It’s hard to pick some individuals as we have had so many good games. I can’t remember exactly but I know Vida and Rio helped a lot. Carrick this season too. I have to say he was my Player of the Season. I voted for him.
Something we noticed was how, when you hit the woodwork against Villa, you didn’t dwell on it but won an important aerial duel straight afterwards to help get us on the attack again. That was impressive...
That’s the mentality to focus, you know. I was really, really concentrating in that game because we had the chance to be champions. Yes, sometimes I did show my frustration a lot here when I missed some goals as I was like: ‘I can’t believe it’. Hopefully, this shows that I am getting better.
Which one thing helped us win the title the most?
I think we were extremely focused this season. I think we have had the mentality to get the trophy back. Everyone worked together. Robin coming in has helped a lot as well, Shinji Kagawa too because he is also such a good player. The players we brought in helped ensure the spirit of the team is very good.
Sir Alex thinks Shinji will be more influential next season. Do you agree?
I’m sure about that. He’s a clever player. Maybe it’s always hard when you come over and it’s been the first season for him. He is Japanese and played in Germany, where it’s a completely different type of football. But he’s a clever player and shows this in training.
There are a number of younger players who should improve again next term...
If you see all the players now, we are starting to get mature. We were young – me, Jones, Chris Smalling, David De Gea, Danny Welbeck – we were all young. Now we are getting to the age of 24 or 25 and that’s a good age. We need to improve every day.
Are other players starting to look up to you already?
Now, I think I’m starting to get old! I always try to start helping the young players. You get mature and get older. You can’t be young forever! Of course, I enjoy it – even when I have not been at the same age as now, I always try and help. I know how hard it is to get into the first-team. I know it’s very difficult and you need some help so I always try my best to help everyone.
Is Fabio heading back to Brazil with you this summer?
Yes, we are always together! Of course, it’s been good and I’ve learned a lot without him this season. But I hope he stays here with us next year.
Will it be strange, in a way, having him back?
Yes! It’s strange now. It’s funny as maybe we’ll forget how it was to be together so it could all be a little bit strange. He played many games at Queens Park Rangers and I think he gained good experience there.
So, have you already started looking ahead to next season? Is the aim to retain the title and do better in Europe?
Of course. Once we arrive back here for pre-season, the focus will be on winning the league again and also the Champions League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup. I think it’s been a long time since we won the FA Cup so we should be really focused to win this trophy again.
-------------------------------------------------------
Firstly, congratulations, Rafael, on winning the title again…
It was an amazing season but maybe we could have won against Real Madrid in the Champions League, you know. However, being a champion means that it is a very, very good season.
It’s incredible that your first response is to pick up on a rare negative from the campaign...
Exactly, that’s the mentality, yes? We couldn’t win against Madrid and we were disappointed about that but it’s okay. We won the league title and I think we were focused this season to get the trophy back to Old Trafford.
Surely there is no doubt Unitere were the best team given the way the final table looked?
If you see the points difference at the top, you can definitely say we are the best team this season. Like I have just said, we have been so focused. We came back in some games to recover points when we were losing and it has been very good overall.
How do you view the season on a personal level?
I think I have just been consistent this season. I think I am getting more mature, like I’ve always said, and it has been a very good season for me.
At one point you played 20 out of 21 games. Did that help you?
I am pretty sure I’ve never played that many in a row before! That consistency is so good for a player and I am very happy to have enjoyed that.
Sir Alex put you among his top four contenders for the Player of the Year award. How did that make you feel?
That’s very nice to hear coming from him. There are such good players at United, and the fact that he picked me as one of the four [Robin van Persie, Michael Carrick and David De Gea were the others] is so good. I’m very happy.
Was it important the manager got his message across last season when we had the disappointing ending?
Exactly. After the game at Sunderland, when we were in the bus, he said to the young players: ‘See what happened today. Don’t forget that'. I must never forget it so I’ll make sure I will always remember this.
Which of your goals was your favourite? Liverpool or QPR?
My favourite one is QPR because they played so hard in closing everyone down and working together so maybe it was harder to score a goal but I managed to get one. I think it's the best one I've ever scored.
Which was your best performance?
That’s QPR as well, I think. I played very well. I did play some good games – I was very good against Everton at home, too. I did well in both those games.
Which team-mate gave the best individual performance?
I think Robin, against Aston Villa. Against Southampton he scored a hat-trick too but he missed a penalty in that game. It’s hard to pick some individuals as we have had so many good games. I can’t remember exactly but I know Vida and Rio helped a lot. Carrick this season too. I have to say he was my Player of the Season. I voted for him.
Something we noticed was how, when you hit the woodwork against Villa, you didn’t dwell on it but won an important aerial duel straight afterwards to help get us on the attack again. That was impressive...
That’s the mentality to focus, you know. I was really, really concentrating in that game because we had the chance to be champions. Yes, sometimes I did show my frustration a lot here when I missed some goals as I was like: ‘I can’t believe it’. Hopefully, this shows that I am getting better.
Which one thing helped us win the title the most?
I think we were extremely focused this season. I think we have had the mentality to get the trophy back. Everyone worked together. Robin coming in has helped a lot as well, Shinji Kagawa too because he is also such a good player. The players we brought in helped ensure the spirit of the team is very good.
Sir Alex thinks Shinji will be more influential next season. Do you agree?
I’m sure about that. He’s a clever player. Maybe it’s always hard when you come over and it’s been the first season for him. He is Japanese and played in Germany, where it’s a completely different type of football. But he’s a clever player and shows this in training.
There are a number of younger players who should improve again next term...
If you see all the players now, we are starting to get mature. We were young – me, Jones, Chris Smalling, David De Gea, Danny Welbeck – we were all young. Now we are getting to the age of 24 or 25 and that’s a good age. We need to improve every day.
Are other players starting to look up to you already?
Now, I think I’m starting to get old! I always try to start helping the young players. You get mature and get older. You can’t be young forever! Of course, I enjoy it – even when I have not been at the same age as now, I always try and help. I know how hard it is to get into the first-team. I know it’s very difficult and you need some help so I always try my best to help everyone.
Is Fabio heading back to Brazil with you this summer?
Yes, we are always together! Of course, it’s been good and I’ve learned a lot without him this season. But I hope he stays here with us next year.
Will it be strange, in a way, having him back?
Yes! It’s strange now. It’s funny as maybe we’ll forget how it was to be together so it could all be a little bit strange. He played many games at Queens Park Rangers and I think he gained good experience there.
So, have you already started looking ahead to next season? Is the aim to retain the title and do better in Europe?
Of course. Once we arrive back here for pre-season, the focus will be on winning the league again and also the Champions League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup. I think it’s been a long time since we won the FA Cup so we should be really focused to win this trophy again.
Didn't look too mature in this preseason, bombing forward whenever possible, and makes rash decisions, I hope he will look better when the season starts.
Looked all right in the previous games. Was slipping all around the place today
I wish he wouldn't treat friendly matches like cup finals. Charging around the field for 90 minutes. Got to love him though.
I'm not concerned. He was the best RB in the league last season. Scored 2 screamers and one was away to Liverpool. Even with a shit winger all season Rafael was brilliant devensively and going forward.
is he suspended for the Wigan or Swansea match?
I think he only has one match left to serve
I think he only has one match left to serve
Didn't he get second yellow? That's just one match, right?
Write Fabio on the back of his jersey and it's good to go!
He was awful today, wasn't he? He even looked sluggish, which I've never seen before. He's a little favourite of mine (which I'm sure he cherises greatly), but today was a 3/10 performance.
He was awful today, wasn't he? He even looked sluggish, which I've never seen before. He's a little favourite of mine (which I'm sure he cherises greatly), but today was a 3/10 performance.
Oh, that cnut Luiz, I thought it was his second yellow.
Rafa is the type of player who can be amazing for 20 games and then look like a pub team player for 1 game.
Fabio should keep him on his toes though. He's built for the right hand side too, but only room for one over there.
Fabio should keep him on his toes though. He's built for the right hand side too, but only room for one over there.
Swansea game - the Ivanovic red last year led to the FA conclusively ruling that Charity Shield shares suspensions with reserve games (
)thanks, that's our first official game so he should miss that one, stupid FA
Rafa is fit.
Highly doubt he'll play though.
Highly doubt he'll play though.
We'll probably play Smalling. We'll need to deal with Kompany, Negredo, Dzeko and Jovetic from set pieces.
I am sure he will start if he's fit, we got bonus in Fellaini for set pieces now.
Plus Rafa can jump pretty high. Remenber Rafa winning headers against Carroll? The little guy's a battler I'd trust him against City, not like Rafa ain't played in derby's before.
I'm only a recent addition to the main forum but just letting people know that I will spend a lot of time in this thread. One of my favourite players, I think he has everything to go on and become a United great.
At the start of last season, I went and got Rafael on the back of my shirt, I hardly ever get a player on the back. Was so happy to see him go on and have the season he did. It's a shame about his injury but hope to see him back against Liverpool. He gives the team so much more balance and while we are doing okay without him, we need him back asap in my opinion.
At the start of last season, I went and got Rafael on the back of my shirt, I hardly ever get a player on the back. Was so happy to see him go on and have the season he did. It's a shame about his injury but hope to see him back against Liverpool. He gives the team so much more balance and while we are doing okay without him, we need him back asap in my opinion.
Definitely. He's now firmly one of our top players, and even if we're playing well without him he can make a massive difference.
Thanks for the heads up, you can find me in the Januzaj/Lingard/any youth threads.
Also, I love the passion Rafael brings, can't wait for him to be back playing again where he belongs.
Unlikely the last 3 will all be on at the same time. It's Toure you missed out!
With Ferdy, Vicid, Fellaini and Smalling, we're suddenly pretty strong in the air. VP, Carrick and Evra aren't exactly weak either
Negredo pulling onto the back post to exploit the lack of height at fullback seems like such an obvious route to goal that we really can't afford having both Rafael and Evra on either side I think. Evra's good in the air for his height and Rafael's not bad at all but the physical advantage Negredo possesses really doesn't give them a chance.
Any news on Rafael yet? Any indication that he will be involved tonight?
Noticed this story on Twitter.
http://twentyfour7football.com/man-united-full-back-could-leave-for-brazil-17302
http://twentyfour7football.com/man-united-full-back-could-leave-for-brazil-17302
Obvious bollocks are obvious
Read something similar on Sky Sports "morning paper talk." I hadn't heard anything of the sort before this morning. Hopefully it's rubbish.
Oh Brophs.
That sounded highly unlikely. Rafael hasn't featured because he's been injured.
I really hope he is back soon, though; a brilliant player at his best - probably will only get a 78 rating on FIFA14 though
Why not him at right back tonight and Fabio for left back? Surely Evra needs a rest. Certainly, Smalling should get time as a CB!
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