LvG just generally seemed a bit tetchy in the interview with questions about Koeman etc. All through his interview, I don't think he suggests he's irritated with any player, he just said the players have to accept playing in the reserves before getting a run out with the first team. I don't see the problem really, but hey ho..
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LvG just generally seemed a bit tetchy in the interview with questions about Koeman etc. All through his interview, I don't think he suggests he's irritated with any player, he just said the players have to accept playing in the reserves before getting a run out with the first team. I don't see the problem really, but hey ho..
As much as I miss Rafael, I'd rather he wasn't rushed back. Last thing we need is for him to be out again at all during the busy period coming up. Plus having Rafael and Di Maria back will be a boost for the Liverpool game.
I'm the same. I don't actually have an issue with players having to come back through the U/21s either I like the 'philosophy.'
Just saw that he did say he wanted Falcao to play 2nd team but, circumstance hasn't allowed. Rafael been out since Chelsea game an that really wasn't much longer than Rojo though. Nonetheless him outwardly saying even Falcao would have been playing 2nd team first is a good thing.
Rafael not the in 18? Damn. When will we see him in the team?
Rafael fanboys better start worrying...
http://www.theguardian.com/football...s-van-gaal-sir-alex-ferguson?CMP=share_btn_tw
http://www.theguardian.com/football...s-van-gaal-sir-alex-ferguson?CMP=share_btn_tw
If he's genuinely picking Valencia over him on merit then I guess a new RB signing is nailed on soon....
What? He didn't even make the bench vs Liverpool on merit? That doesn't make any sense at all 
Valencia over Rafa then, LVG? Hmmm.
What? He didn't even make the bench vs Liverpool on merit? That doesn't make any sense at all
McNair and Blackett were the defenders we had on the bench, right? Maybe he wanted CBs given we were playing three at the back.....
Valencia has been in really good form, though I'm not sure why Rafael wouldnt be in the squad at all.
maybe there was still some truth behind the rumours...
I guess you must be right, but if Valencia had got injured then Rafael would be the obvious sub. If one of the CBs got injured he could also have brought Rafael on and switched to 4 at the back, but presumably wanted to keep his 3 CBs.
I can't get my head round why 2 CB subs is better than 1 CB and a full back, when we had no full backs on the bench...
Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Tbf our CBs are about five times more likely to get injured than Valencia.
Strange, Rafael is quite comfortably a better RB than Valencia.
Seems pretty happy.
Fair point!
Even as a massive Rafael fan, I can see why LVG would stick with Valencia for now. He's been playing quite well recently, and we need to get as consistent a back 4(5) as we can for now. And with Rafa, you just know there is an injury around the corner.
Valencia has been excellent at right back recently. Van Gaal is absolutely right and it sends a great message to the squad.
He's in a hot tub with Mata and De Gea, of course he's happy!
If Rafael had his right leg amputated below the knee, I'd pick Valencia. Otherwise, no.
I had great hopes for him and his twin when they came first. If LVG prefers Valencia, he may eventually follow his bro out the door. Pity.
As much as I rate Rafael, and I think he's really good, you just can't legislate for how many games he misses through injury. It's unfortunate but I just think he's going to be constantly injured.
I'd hope we're looking at a new right back in the Summer.
I'd hope we're looking at a new right back in the Summer.
With Fellaini out injured, it's a good bet Valencia will reprise his right-sided position in midfield with Rafael returning at fullback.
I love Rafael too but I definately agree that Valencia should keep his place for now.He has been playing very well recently and deserves to stay in the team as long as he keeps the form up.
This has been something that has really pleased me so far this season.No player's place in the team is automatic and he doesn't rush back half fit players based ob reputation.It really demoralising for a player to play a good run of games and then immediatly lose his place when a player returns to training.
That said I am hoping to see Rafael at RB tomorrow with Valencia in midfield.
Seems pretty happy.
His English is a little poor....
You have a point of course. It would be hard on Valencia to be dumped after recent good performances.
I "mistakenly" put valencia over rafael for strongest 11 in another thread and was questioned about why. Valencia has been very very good at right back and right wing back this season and it seems LvG agrees with me. Valencia is in better form than him at the moment. A lot of fan boys will not be pleased with this
Setting up a goal in a big game suddenly makes Valencia better than Raf? Not sure I agree, in either role (RB or RWB)...
cuz that's what people are saying right? "oh valencia played a ball through welsh Xavi legs and crossed a ball..he should play over rafael each game"
Yup everyone is saying that and that's why Valencia is starting over Raf.
Yes, that is exactly what I said.
"oh valencia played a ball through welsh Xavi legs and crossed a ball..he should play over rafael each game"
Yup everyone is saying that and that's why Valencia is starting over Raf.
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I could be wrong but I don't think that Rafael has played as a RWB for us other than briefly in the first US tour game where he got injured, so with us playing the 3-5-2 recently Valencia has staked a claim. The thing that makes no sense to me is not having him on the bench as he offers a lot more than Fletcher period, or Januzaj who'd be the only RWB option sitting there.
As good as Valencia and Young have been for us while Rafa and Shaw have been out injured, they've still made mistakes. We've just been lucky the teams haven't taken them and De Gea has been in super human mode.
Sooner or later it will bite us in the ass, so I wouldn't persist with keeping Rafa out.
Sooner or later it will bite us in the ass, so I wouldn't persist with keeping Rafa out.
At the moment i'd have to agree that Valencia deserves to keep his place but find it alarming that people think this is a sign that rafael will sooner rather than later be sold. Apart from that slightly unlucky moment with that awful ref decision at leicester the guy was looking great before injury struck again. Gotta say i have a real soft spot for rafael- i love the fact we have this quick, fearless little brazilian fullback that we plucked from obscurity. His delivery has become really good too. Proper united player in my eyes I mean he'll drive you mad at times but united in general will drive you mad at times.
What i find peculiar is that Blackett and mcnair both make the bench over Rafael!! That to me is the biggest eyebrow raiser.
Never mind summer. Lets get one in January
We have to understand one thing. Valencia has been playing as a RWB in the back 5 formation recently.
I genuinely believed that we were playing a back 5 as we did not have any full backs available, and he had to use Young and Valencia as full backs. That is how I was living with the crap formation and the crap performance that comes with this crap formation.
Now that LvG has said that Valencia started even though Rafael was available. I believe there can be two reasons for the crap formation:
1. He needs fit and in form first choice CBs to move in a normal back 4. He has not had that and hence he is sticking with a back 5.
2. He has decided he wants to stick with a back 5, as that is his preferred formation.
I really hope the former is the main reason. Nervous...
One more thing, Valencia can't be trusted as a RB in a back 4. I really hope Rafael comes back to the starting line-up soon. Sticking with him in my line-up prediction.
I genuinely believed that we were playing a back 5 as we did not have any full backs available, and he had to use Young and Valencia as full backs. That is how I was living with the crap formation and the crap performance that comes with this crap formation.
Now that LvG has said that Valencia started even though Rafael was available. I believe there can be two reasons for the crap formation:
1. He needs fit and in form first choice CBs to move in a normal back 4. He has not had that and hence he is sticking with a back 5.
2. He has decided he wants to stick with a back 5, as that is his preferred formation.
I really hope the former is the main reason. Nervous...
One more thing, Valencia can't be trusted as a RB in a back 4. I really hope Rafael comes back to the starting line-up soon. Sticking with him in my line-up prediction.
He's played just slightly less games in a flat four than he has as a RWB. There's no basis for you saying 'he can't be trusted' in a back four.
I think it's as simple as LvG just prefers Valencia to Rafael.
Yeah that does seem kind of odd. Having one CB on the bench is fine but to have two young ones while completely dropping Rafael does not seem to bode well.
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