I've wondered the same thing.
Ivanovic & Zabaleta are ahead of him in the PL, and arguments can be made for Coleman as well.
Piszczek (bar Dortmunds shite season so far) & Carvajal shouldn't be shrugged off so easily either.
And just because Lahm plays in midfield, doesn't mean he isn't a capable right-back anymore.
Why do people have to make statements so bombastic instead of just saying that Rafael is one of the best right-backs in the world when fit?
Why doesn't fitness come into play when rating players? getting them on field surely should be a huge thing.
We desperately need a right back
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
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He has never been the best right back in Manchester, let alone the world.
Probably because he is never fit!
Clyne would be a really good choice. Too good to be a back up.
Rafael is quality...he's just injured too often. Same with Smalling and Jones.
I'd be happy with those 3 plus Shaw being out back 4, but they are fecked half the time. It's ridiculous.
Get a CB and a RB that can play week in and week out, because these sick notes are doing us no good...depsite them being talented when actually fit.
I'd be happy with those 3 plus Shaw being out back 4, but they are fecked half the time. It's ridiculous.
Get a CB and a RB that can play week in and week out, because these sick notes are doing us no good...depsite them being talented when actually fit.
We don't necessarily need to break the bank for a world class RB, we just need to buy one that'll remain injury free most of the time and can do a job in the absence of Rafael.
I suggested Janmaat in a separate thread, but posters seem to think he's too ordinary.
Any other cheap alternatives available that would be a good enough back up for Rafa?
I don't think Valencia is up to it.
I suggested Janmaat in a separate thread, but posters seem to think he's too ordinary.
Any other cheap alternatives available that would be a good enough back up for Rafa?
I don't think Valencia is up to it.
Martin Montoya wants to leave Barca, don't know about cheap though.
I think Valencia does a great job considering he is not actually a right back - but long term an injury prone right back and a winger who will try his best (or injury prone centrebacks who look out of place there in smalling and jones) does look threadbare.
I am not sure I see us buying in the Jan window though - I think its more likely we wait till the summer and buy then
Di Sciglio is a player I like - plus he is versatile and can cover left back - though with Shaw, Blind, Rojo and Blackett (plus young if he stays or we play a back 3) then I think we have enough cover there.
Coleman and Clyne are premiership proven (but probably expensive options)
Alves or Johnson are available on a free and could do a job (going forwards at least) with a relatively small outlay
But if he is available I would hope we would be in for piszczek - He will be 30 by the summer and if Dortmund are not in the CL (which looks like a realistic possibility) surely he would be interested in a move (and a payrise)
Whats happening with Varela by the way - do real have an option to buy him (and will they exercise it) or is he likely to return next year?
No we don't. A good CB is what we "desperately" need.
Rojo, Jones, Evans, Smalling are all good CB's - we need a great CB or at the very least a CB with strong leadership / organizational abilities... We still need a RB though - be that as cover or as competition to Rafael
fixed.
that would be a good start wouldnt it!I think we miss Rafael more under LvG than Fergie due to the narrow system we play, Valencia does a decent enough job defensively but offers nothing in attack which is equally important in our system. So if we bring in a RB to compete with/replace Rafael I think it's imperative that he's good going forward.
Real have the option and it looks likely.
any idea how much we might get for him - I'm presuming not much at all?
It's no surprise that Carrick has been a decisive catalyst in our recent run.
It's silly to suggest otherwise. People outside of United all agree from what I've seen. He's been a lot better than Carrick this year.
In the same way Blind was decisive in many of our best performances before.
All we can be sure of is that we're fecked if they both get injured at the same time.
Anyway, wasn't this thread about a right back!?
Yeah not sure how it derailed like that
No chance baby.
What about santon as a cheaper option? Think his contracts up in the summer?
Isn't he left footed? Plus, he's not very good.
He was awesome on FM10 however...... I remember he was apparently a big prodigy back in the day.
He's a RB no doubt and he's better than Valencia.
Given LvG's comments today about Rafael I expect this thread will see plenty of action over the next 6 months.
What did he say about him?
Oh, exactly, well, I mentioned something like this in the Herrera thread. Valencia has been quite good at RB, Rafa has to force his way into the side.
Ivanovic & Zabaleta are ahead of him in the PL, and arguments can be made for Coleman as well.
Agree about Zabaleta, it's closer with Ivanovic. His crossing is pretty woeful (unless he's got a lot better at it this season?)
*Puts on the Brian Blessed tone of voice while addressing at Rafael*
PULL YOUR FINGER OUT, RAFAEL, YOU LAZY BASTARD!!!
So, who should we buy?
I'd be happy to see all our defenders stay if they can stay fit, if they continue the trend of getting injured every few games they will all have to be replaced over the next couple if years. It's such a shame, we have the makings of a very good young back line who are very experienced given their age.
Disgraceful that we didn't go for Sagna when he was avaliable for free. Defensively he is the most solid full back in the league after Zabaleta and can do a fine job at CB. He is practically never injured aswell.
Clyne would a fantastic signing for that position.
Disgraceful? Righto.
Didn't City offer him like £200k pw or something insane? Can't say I'm bothered missing out on him at those figures.
Horrible thread. Its not like we're in a crisis FFS
agree. our defence overall has been pretty decent.
We will be at full strength soon enough.
We will be at full strength soon enough.
We haven't reallt has a solid first choice right back since G.Nev got injured against Bolton in 07. Since then the position has been swapped around like nobodies business. Wes Brown in 07-08, Jon Oshea in 08-09 Rafael broke through the same year and looked nailed on. Fabio played in the CL final at Wembley in place of Rafael, then Rafael again for a year then last year we entered the Jones, Smalling and Valencia era.
I mean for god sake. Just sort it out. Its not hard, we have had since 07 to address this sh1t and not signed 1 right back (i dont count Varela). Thats almost 8 years.
I mean for god sake. Just sort it out. Its not hard, we have had since 07 to address this sh1t and not signed 1 right back (i dont count Varela). Thats almost 8 years.
It really has not.
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