He looked well off the pace today - looked as though he was running through treacle, weak in the air and never close enough to his man. Still early days, but he's certainly not leadership material, struggling to see how he's a centre back to be honest.
16
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 26
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 6
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I'm not really seeing that this guy is an improvement on Buttner if I'm completely honest.
...
The contrast from the QPR to this game is incredible. That said, Rojo was tested a lot more in this game today. Lets not forget it's his second game for us and is still adjusting to EPL football. Give the lad some time before we crucify him.
With Evans injured, Jones out, Blackett now suspended and Smalling thrown back in, it looks like a Smalling & Rojo partnership vs West Ham. Another test for him. Let's hope he can shake this off now and push forward again.
Looked good going forward last week and comfortable on the ball but wasn't tested defensively. Today he was tested defensively and was unconvincing but was equally as bad in attack. He wasn't alone as I thought Rafa didn't have his greatest game either and Blackett played ok but he should have covered Varney for that goal. As others have said I'm sceptical about him playing in the middle. Too soon to rate obviously but I think Shaw will be starting the next game.
First game performed well. 2nd match awful even before our meltdown. Early days for him. No idea if he'll end up being a solid left-back for us or a combative central defender, nevermind whether he'll be a starter or squad player. I think we have to recognise that players new to the PL are going to have days when the speed of the game overwhelms them.
I agree, he probably speaks no english right now as well, so he can't communicate too well with other defenders and that's bound to affect his understanding with them on the pitch. Plus, I didn't see too many of his team mates helping him defend on that left flank which Leicester were exploiting all game. Di Maria is not the type to track back constantly because he is trying to influence the game on the other end so you need Blind to help cover those positions and Herrera and Rooney should drop deep to protect the middle and right side. Its all about working as a unit, so we can't just blame one player for everything that went wrong. He had a bad game but we need to give him time.
At QPR he had no defending to do. He had the easiest start a player will ever have.
Maintain this lad will be a liability. Borderline David Luiz if played at CB.
Those brainless long range shots...
Last edited:
It might not be a bad idea to give him more than a few games before rushing to judgment. He was awful today, but surely you remember Vidic and Evra's first few months at the club. I swear, my 4-year old has more patience than some around here. It's fine to be upset about a display (I have a pretty negative review in the Van Gaal thread,) but rushing to such conclusions after 2 games is mind-boggling.
Dreadful today. Hoping for better at centre half.
I thought the idea was to play him on the left side of a back 3.
The 4-0 victory swayed LVG to keep 4 at the back.
The 4-0 victory swayed LVG to keep 4 at the back.
Regardless of his performance and positional issues, next week we have little choice but to play him centre back with Shaw getting a go at left back. Blind needs to make sure he is giving the central defence as much support as possible.
When I said that he's not the answer to what we need I got criticized. Regrettably I was right
Disappointing today, hope he fares better at centre back. Was certainly culpable for one goal and possibly the decisive 4th, he look decent enough on the ball but oddly didn't seem to throw himself about, thought he would hack the lad down before the 1st goal.
I'll be honest it's worrying that he was the cb of choice over the summer, considering Woody seemed to be pissing £s in every direction, surely we could have found someone better. Doesn't Jorge Mendes represent any defenders
?
I'll be honest it's worrying that he was the cb of choice over the summer, considering Woody seemed to be pissing £s in every direction, surely we could have found someone better. Doesn't Jorge Mendes represent any defenders
?Lets get Shaw fit pronto. All i have to say.
At least you gave the guy a chance. 2 games and that's that, you're right.
You're so knee jerk these days. Did you think vidic would be crap too?
Poor game today but am interested to see him at centre half next week with Shaw at left back. Hopefully a better long term bet for us.
Probably.
In fairness, I did caveat my post by saying it's early days. I'm just calling it as I saw it - he looked rubbish today, and that's all I have to go by. He doesn't look like someone who's going to make a commanding centre half, but I'm always happy to be proven to be spectacularly wrong in such circumstances.
He was crap judging by today but by the same token judging by QPR he's mint.
I'd say: Listen to the Sporting fans who claim him to be twice the player when playing at CB, and also, not judge him on a match where the entire United team went to shit over a wrong pen.
It's one game. Why draw such pointless conclusions on the basis of one game? Players often take half a season adapting to this league.
I am not sure he should be playing fullback if I am honest. I got flashbacks of Evra charging up field and then just jogging back and not even trying to get back at various points.
I think people are forgetting he is a CB.
He is not a LB, should be doing better, but I can't blame him too much. First away game in the PL, with defense being shambles, and him playing out of position.
Just his second game. He's clearly miles better than Buttner.
It's not like he is incapable of doing the job. It's is not his favourite position, but certainly not one where he delivers a shambolic performance. He certainly is capable and has given better performances there before. He did not give a hit this game and we hope he gets better next. Hope LvG give him a earful.
Evra had an awful start to his Utd career but came good. Rojo has the quality, he will come right.
Was absolutely dreadful today. Thankfully Shaw is back at LB for WHU and he can slot in next to Smalling and Rafael keeps his RB spot.
Sort it lads.
Sort it lads.
Well unless there's an injury Rojo will start at CB vs West Ham and Shaw at LB. Let's see how he plays there and it is still early days. He was poor today though.
Shaw should be starting at LB once he is back to full fitness.
Things are not going to easy for rojo at CB too. I think we will have mares about him over the next few weeks or months, at least.Not that he got someone like vidic or a peak rio to help him to ease himself into PL football now.
Things are not going to easy for rojo at CB too. I think we will have mares about him over the next few weeks or months, at least.Not that he got someone like vidic or a peak rio to help him to ease himself into PL football now.
He'll be alot better at CB, he played CB at Sporting and he was good at it. He has always been poorer on the leftback. Also give the guy a break, he is new to this club and to this league and the situation isn't exactly ideal to just settle in.
People having a go at him for one bad performance, Jezus.... I'd wish half of you were as critical to Smalling and Evans and Rafael if they make mistakes. Some guy on here even talking about him not being better than Büttner, fecking hell, go and have a talk to yourself. I have seen the lad on the world cup and based on those performances I think it is clear he is a solid defender and he can do alot better than what we have seen from him today. He just needs to settle in and needs a bit of time.
People having a go at him for one bad performance, Jezus.... I'd wish half of you were as critical to Smalling and Evans and Rafael if they make mistakes. Some guy on here even talking about him not being better than Büttner, fecking hell, go and have a talk to yourself. I have seen the lad on the world cup and based on those performances I think it is clear he is a solid defender and he can do alot better than what we have seen from him today. He just needs to settle in and needs a bit of time.
Really don't care how he performs at the moment, some players need time, just look at Evra and Vidic.
He was poor but nothing to suggest he won't develop.
He was poor but nothing to suggest he won't develop.
I'd like to see Shaw start the next match. Rojo needs to improve his positioning. It was evident against QPR too - we just weren't punished.
Lad had a poor game defensively, but theres bugger all point crucifying him at this stage, plenty of time to improve.
I am not saying that he's shit. I am only saying that he's not the top quality CB/leader we need. He's more of a Silvestre then a Rio
I'd really like to see him at CB because I don't think its fair to crucify him just yet. He's absolutely incredible in the air and defensively pretty sound.
Apart from his positioning (as a LB anyway).
Clearly he should be playing at centreback. As promising as Blackett is, he can't be starting for us every week at age 20. Just doesn't have the experience yet. Rojo on the other hand seems decent in the air and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. It will also help him to have Luke Shaw to his left because Luke is our only natural left fullback.
Fair point, hence my caveat. But if we only drew conclusions after half a season then there'd be no posts on Redcafe until January. This is a forum - we discuss, criticise, praise and so forth. He was terrible yesterday and I called it. I didn't see the QPR game, but he drew plenty of praise after that - swings and roundabouts.