Maybe the RAWK reference was a bit harsh! Still, I can't for one reason think why Rafael would make a decent captain though. He wouldn't even get in the side if we had a half decent RB at the club. My opinion though.
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Your opinion is bonkers. Rafael is a fantastic right back with all the right attributes.
Come on then, give me some examples that make him a better option than others to be our captain?
Well firstly i think he's a great right back, who will be here long term so therefore we have a player who will be in the starting lineup whenever available.
Secondly, He has the winning mentality and fight that was the trademark of the Ferguson era, having played with the likes of rio, vidic, giggs, scholes, van der sar etc he knows the deal.
He's someone who wont back down when the game gets fired up, who can put a tackle in on someone to get the fans riled up in a derby, or as a bit of payback for a teammate getting clattered earlier, the little things that impact the mentality of the squad in tense situations. He's got a bit of Keane about him.
the only question mark is his fitness right now, but at 24, he wouldn't hypothetically take over from Rooney for years, and who says he wont get over his injury niggles by then. its all guess work and opinions, i just think he's a leader.
I think he starts whenever available as there is no other decent option. I don't see him as a great RB. For that reason I couldn't see him in any captancy scenario - you need a leader to stand up on the pitch, stand out and make a difference. Rooney this season has been a good example of that. Rafael doesn't have the qualities as a player to be looked up at, as captain. Again, my opinion as I don't rate him much above a good player.
He may have winning mentality (I'd suspect most players who were around during SAF reign, would have such a mentality), but the fight you mention turns into rash decisions, charging into tackles (usually resulting in a card) and looking reckless. As a player, would you want to see your captain acting like this? Watching him when he is fired up is like waiting for a card to happen, so players must see this. There is no controlled aggression.
However, none of us will most likely ever know what happens behind closed doors, and you may be right, he may be a natural leader on the training ground and in the dressing room, but I haven't seen any example of it on the pitch.
Rafael completely changes the way we play, not many RB's have such an impact on their team, maybe Zabaleta does. But we are such a better team with Rafael, really proved that last season too. He makes a difference both in defence but especially in attack, he gives us so much more balance.
True he offers us something unique that just tranforms the whole team and his energy is infectious. Injuries aside he is perfect for us.
In the same way Evra used to on the other side, if only he was totally unbreakable, like Evra.
Anyone know how many games Evra missed through injury during his whole time at United?
Not that I can particularly see Rafael ever becoming our captain but that sounds exactly like a description of a young Rooney.
He'll first play for the 2nd team before being ready then.
"Rafael has already trained with us for one week. Also now he has to play in the second squad. I’m sorry for that but it is my philosophy and the players [should understand]. If they don’t I’m not interested.”
I want him now though!!
I want him now though!!
I'd be more impressed with this hardline policy if it was resulting in less injuries. It isn't so far.
I'm sick of this philosophy talk already, especially in terms of injuries. We need Rafael back now. We don't have the option to ease him back in.
Ahhh damn, was hoping he'd be fit for tomorrow. Guess he'll defo be ready for Liverpool then.
Of course we do, and we will. Valencia has been doing a decent job and can easily continue doing so for another match.
I don't fancy Valencia there to be honest. He was awful last season whenever Moyes played him at RB. He has done better recently but to be fair other than the Arsenal game he hasn't had to be very good.
Its not an ideal role for him, but he has been quite good during one off occasions where he's been deputized as a RB over the years. Its best to bring Rafa back slowly so he doesn't risk re-aggravating his injury, at which point he will probably be done for the year.
Shite.
True but I'm so much more relaxed with Rafael there. At least I hope he is back for the Liverpool game.
It's preferable to bringing him back too early and having him hobble off after 15 minutes.
It's not like he is coming back from a long term injury though. He has been training for over a week and considering he was only out for a few weeks he should be fine.
I'm tempted to trust the manager on things like this.
As I understand it, LvG's preference is for a player to train at least two weeks before returning to the squad. Guess that two weeks is a minimum-unless you're Rojo. Maybe LvG's approach is different for muscle-related injuries versus Rojo's shoulder, because Rojo wasn't training for two weeks before gettimg into the line-up.
The next u21 match isn't until the same day as the Liverpool match so unless we have a BHC match setup for this week I guess he'll miss that too.
Did LvG really say that? Pretty sure majority of our players who returned from injuries didn't have to feature in the U/21s first.
I've got a funny feeling that Rafael is one of the ones LvG was refeering to when he said that his players need to harden up with regards to injuries and play though a bit of pain.
In all fairness Rojo had played every game this season so he was fit where as Rafael got injured on tour and missed not only the first few games but all the training prior to that. This is Rafael's second injury already this season.
Aye, I was about to say, Rojo had barely missed a game or a training session. He must have only missed a week or 2 with his shoulder. Doubt that affected his fitness much, as I'm sure he wasn't just sat on his arse during that time. He probably did something like cycling which doesn't use the upper body.
philosophy
I just think that the caution he takes when he brings injured players back into the squad is a bit OTT.
Rafael has struggled with injuries more than most, not just this season. Taking a little extra care with him seems pretty sensible to me.
Its such a shame with his injuries, probably the most passionate player on the pitch when hes fit, plus hes quality once he gets a run of games, we all know what hes capable of from SAF`s last season
Sadly since then hes been injury plagued non stop
Sadly since then hes been injury plagued non stop
True. I just feel if he has been training for over a week, and wasn't injured for that long in the first place, not playing him tomorrow night is a bit excessive.
Apparently it's a new protocol, LVG is tired of all the injuries and refuses to select the players who don't comeback at a very good level of fitness. So they train with the fitness coach and when he decides that they are ready they can be selected, if not they play for the reserve.
Feck we need to put @ryan_forlan on suicide watch.
u-21 game it is now for rafa. no problem. hope he should be ready for liverpool.
but we still need a RB next summer. a priority alongside a top class CB and another CM imo. it is apparent rafa cannot stay fit all of the time and while he is a very good player when available, we have to cope when he is out. would not mind dani alves on a free transfer although his wage fee might be excessive for sure.
but we still need a RB next summer. a priority alongside a top class CB and another CM imo. it is apparent rafa cannot stay fit all of the time and while he is a very good player when available, we have to cope when he is out. would not mind dani alves on a free transfer although his wage fee might be excessive for sure.
Forgot he existed. If he can stay fit thru the festive period, I'll be glad!
Silly thing for him to say. Someone already mentioned Rojo being out and not playing in the 2nd squad but, Falcao hasn't either. Not that he cares but, it definitely opens the thought that some are favorites. If he was consistent then it see no fault in the philosophy.
At least hope he gets to play before Liverpool for the U21s - those dipper cnuts raise their game for us and at least Rafael bothers with doing the same.
Rojo had a shoulder injury and was able to keep fit without being in full contact training. He was only out for 3 weeks, had a full week of training before coming back into the fold. He was "match fot" which is what Van Gaal wants.
Falcao if you read the full interview, he doesnt have the luxury of playing in the reserves. He wants to but with the way the games have come and Rooney being injured against Stoke he couldnt play him as he needed him on the bench.
Therrs no double standards at all.
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