Rafael vs Valencia Rightback Debate

[Raoul]

There's a debate? Why is there a debate?

Rafael is a good right back when he's fit, Valencia isn't ever a good right back. He's just adequate to cover for a good right back

Then why is Van Gaal consistently starting Valencia over a fit Rafael ?

 

[Dion]

Then why is Van Gaal consistently starting Valencia over a fit Rafael ?

Same reason he started Rooney over Herrera in midfield for so long despite having evidence to the contrary already. He thinks Valencia ticks some box that is required for his "philosophy" and isn't willing to change from that unless he's forced to.

 

[Raoul]

Same reason he started Rooney over Herrera in midfield for so long despite having evidence to the contrary already. He thinks Valencia ticks some box that is required for his "philosophy" and isn't willing to change from that unless he's forced to.

Which brings to light a more interesting question about whether individual players are more important than the success of the greater squad. If Valencia is doing what LvG wants him to in that role, and the squad at large are finally beginning to click, then he isn't really incentivized to experiment with Rafael.

 

[Pexbo]

Same reason he started Rooney over Herrera in midfield for so long despite having evidence to the contrary already. He thinks Valencia ticks some box that is required for his "philosophy" and isn't willing to change from that unless he's forced to.

And it's working very well. Go figure.

 

[Borys]

As much as I rate Rafael, in my opinion the stability that Valencia provides on the right is more beneficial than playing Rafael (who is a better RB) every second game.

 

[Ekeke]

Then why is Van Gaal consistently starting Valencia over a fit Rafael ?

Why did Valencia play instead of Nani?

Its nothing to do with talent and ability

Also why did Rooney play instead of Ander in midfield? There are many questions with dissappointing answers

 

[Raoul]

Why did Valencia play instead of Nani?

Its nothing to do with talent and ability

Also why did Rooney play instead of Ander in midfield? There are many questions with dissappointing answers

The answers during our recent run haven't been disappointing though have they. We have looked much stronger recently with Valencia, not Rafael playing.

 

[goin4glory]

It's no secret Rafael is adored in the caf, an absolute fan favourite and recognized for his drive and passion. He's a talented fullback; pacey, great dribbler and delivers delicious crosses effortlessly. He's one of the most positive fullbacks in the world.

Rafael does not have pace, you rarely if ever see him going past players. No idea what you're talking about with his crossing or dribbling as he doesn't add very much going forward which shows in his assists/goals numbers. He has 6 goals and 12 assists in the last 6 seasons. Compare him to Alves who has 63 assists and 14 goals in 7 seasons or Baines who has 22g and 42 assists over 6 seasons.

Going forward he's mediocre.

@MyOnlySolskjaer great dribbler and delivers delicious crosses effortlessly.

No he isn't a great dribbler and he doesn't deliver consistent delicious crosses. Lets keep it real

Agreed, people must have been watching a different player. He's got a great engine/work ethic and desire which appeals to our fans but his quality on the ball isn't great.

Rafael is a much better RB in basically every category. But, for whatever reason Van Gaal does not rate him. That is something we are just going to have to accept.

Valencia might be the most difficult FB in the league to go past 1v1 and he outright dominates most physical duels, Rafael isn't close in that regard. Once Valencia can sharpen up the positional side of his game I don't even think he and Rafael are that close in all honesty, people forget we have the 3rd best defence in the league and Valencia has played a huge part in that. Most fans seemingly can't get over conceding 5 goals vs Leicester (where Rafa started) and realise we actually have a solid unit in that regard now.

If Rafa were put up for sale tomorrow how many of the best clubs around Europe would be in for him? Maybe the most overrated player on the caf.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Still think injuries are the reason we've seen Rafael dropped, he cannot be relied upon throughout an entire season. Think some are over analyzing.

 

[NoLogo]

@Pexbo

Those Sqwaka comparisons are not really all that helpful without context. The pass completion rate surprises me considering the number of his crosses that end up any where but at the feet/head of one of our players. It must only count ground passes, in which case it makes sense. Mata and Herrera do all of the risky passing whereas Valencia is there merely to support them. Our possession based football definitely boosts that stat.

What is even more confusing about those stats is that Zabaleta is widely known as having a poor season, at least in comparison to previous years (just look at the bluemoon thread on him, I guess they watch him the most). However, according to that comparison he comes off very well.

Valencia is not a top right back, neither attacking nor defensive-wise. Rafael was, but can't stay fit. Basically we need a new RB, but if Rafa is fit, we should play him.

Yeah I hinted at that in one of my posts. Of course the passing success of a player is always in some way dependent on how much risk he is supposed to take when passing or how fast those passes need to be made. Hummels for example has awful possession stats because at Dortmund even for a CB he is allowed to take a lot of risky passes, it's the way Dortmund play. I'm sure if he would play for Bayern his passing stats would be in the same percentage range as Boateng's.

Stats are always to be taken with a pinch of salt and never really tell the whole story but our personal view on players can often be just as misleading. Valencia comes of the back of two and a half awful seasons which cost him a lot of sympathies on here and may cloud a lot of people's opinion on him, I'm certainly one of the people who didn't rate him at but he does a lot of things right this season given the role he has to play in our setup.

 

[Raoul]

Still think injuries are the reason we've seen Rafael dropped, he cannot be relied upon throughout an entire season. Think some are over analyzing.

I genuinely think Van Gaal feels Tony is doing a solid job and Rafael could affect the squad chemistry of something that is actually beginning to work, if he returned. The Leicester penalty is probably also still on his mind.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

I genuinely think Van Gaal feels Tony is doing a solid job and Rafael could affect the squad chemistry of something that is actually beginning to work, if he returned. The Leicester penalty is probably also still on his mind.

Valencia has definitely performed well this season, I'd agree. But I do think Rafael's injury problems were also a factor. Anyway I've no issue with van Gaal's decision here.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

As far as I can see the only thing Valencia has over Rafael is his fitness and upper body strength.

Rafael is braver, more intelligent, more comfortable on the ball and is much better at crossing. I'd say he's even got better positional sense and he actually commits fewer fouls, and those are Rafael's two key weaknesses.

The only logical reason I can see as to why Valencia is still there is for consistency because he can last 90 minutes without fail, and doesn't pick up an injury in every other match.

That's certainly debatable.

 

[ivaldo]

Valencia has this tag now for being reliable, whenever he fecks up, makes a rash challenge, finds himself completely out of position etc its quickly forgotten. Rafael has this tag for being rash despite largely cutting that part of his game out. The Leicester penalty was a clear example of this, does nothing wrong and gets blamed for it, Valencia wouldn't have received that response for doing the same, no chance.

For me Valencia is in the team because right now LVG values consistency over all else, not because he's a better defender than Rafael.

 

[Rezyuz]

You need to drop the hate and start looking at Valencia more objectively. He's been one of the best right backs in the league this season.

No you need to stop looking at whats "acceptable" and start looking at whats "suited" for a club like Man United.

That "one of the best" right back you just mentioned costed us the cup. And has pretty shitty defensive stats to be counted as one of the best. You linked like 1/10th of the defensive stats in that post. Don't compare him with other right backs from this league. Because the EPL in general has bad right backs bar zabaletta (who isn't performing great atm either).

Also that mistake stat is just downright wrong.

Its acceptable that hes our RB, but any more then this season is down right insane.

And lets not forget, the amount of stupidity he brings when he goes forward takes the entire speed out of the game (ironically as our fastest player) and ruins 9/10 opportunities with spraying and praying, stare competitions and backpassing.

 

[Pexbo]

Valencia has this tag now for being reliable, whenever he fecks up, makes a rash challenge, finds himself completely out of position etc its quickly forgotten. Rafael has this tag for being rash despite largely cutting that part of his game out. The Leicester penalty was a clear example of this, does nothing wrong and gets blamed for it, Valencia wouldn't have received that response for doing the same, no chance.

For me Valencia is in the team because right now LVG values consistency over all else, not because he's a better defender than Rafael.

I'd say that's nonsense.

Amongst fans Rafael has this reputation for being a cavalier who's dynamic link up play adds whole new dimensions to our attack while Valencia is just a bland, tumescent, impotent player who adds nothing to our attacks.

As for the Leicester incident, quite simply Valencia wouldn't have been shrugged off the ball like that! Foul or not.


I like Rafael a lot and in a different system I think he is brilliant but he doesn't suit the football we currently play. Having an outlet like Valencia who rarely ever loses the ball is important. He isn't asked to dribble past people or take risks which is why it's not an issue that he doesn't do these things. If he's passed the ball and is under pressure, which is often for the fullbacks in this system of playing out from the back, he can hold off and find a safe pass much better than Rafael can because he's built like an Ox.


Arguing over which one is best is like arguing over whether you should play Inzaghi or Drogba. You can't just pick your favourite, you have to take into consideration what the rest of the team is doing. If you're going to be playing the ball to chest, feet or head then you'd choose Drogba, if you're going to be playing the ball in behind the defence, across the box or have players shooting from distance then you'd rather have Inzaghi pouncing.

That's how I see it anyway, we have Mata and Herrera working the right wing, it's much more important we have a pragmatic fullback facilitating them than one who might also add some creativity.

 

[goin4glory]

Did people not watch the game vs Villa where Valencia was regularly making runs in behind and got into great positions/put in a few quality corsses. The one for Rooney's overhead springs to mind.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I'd say that's nonsense.

Amongst fans Rafael has this reputation for being a cavalier who's dynamic link up play adds whole new dimensions to our attack while Valencia is just a bland, tumescent, impotent player who adds nothing to our attacks.

As for the Leicester incident, quite simply Valencia wouldn't have been shrugged off the ball like that! Foul or not.


I like Rafael a lot and in a different system I think he is brilliant but he doesn't suit the football we currently play. Having an outlet like Valencia who rarely ever loses the ball is important. He isn't asked to dribble past people or take risks which is why it's not an issue that he doesn't do these things. If he's passed the ball and is under pressure, which is often for the fullbacks in this system of playing out from the back, he can hold off and find a safe pass much better than Rafael can because he's built like an Ox.


Arguing over which one is best is like arguing over whether you should play Inzaghi or Drogba. You can't just pick your favourite, you have to take into consideration what the rest of the team is doing. If you're going to be playing the ball to chest, feet or head then you'd choose Drogba, if you're going to be playing the ball in behind the defence, across the box or have players shooting from distance then you'd rather have Inzaghi pouncing.

That's how I see it anyway, we have Mata and Herrera working the right wing, it's much more important we have a pragmatic fullback facilitating them than one who might also add some creativity.

Good post. Agreed.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

No you need to stop looking at whats "acceptable" and start looking at whats "suited" for a club like Man United.

That "one of the best" right back you just mentioned costed us the cup. And has pretty shitty defensive stats to be counted as one of the best. You linked like 1/10th of the defensive stats in that post. Don't compare him with other right backs from this league. Because the EPL in general has bad right backs bar zabaletta (who isn't performing great atm either).

Also that mistake stat is just downright wrong.

Its acceptable that hes our RB, but any more then this season is down right insane.

And lets not forget, the amount of stupidity he brings when he goes forward takes the entire speed out of the game (ironically as our fastest player) and ruins 9/10 opportunities with spraying and praying, stare competitions and backpassing.

Ironic you can criticise stats in the same post you include a stat as ludicrous as the one in your last paragraph.

 

[ivaldo]

I'd say that's nonsense.

Amongst fans Rafael has this reputation for being a cavalier who's dynamic link up play adds whole new dimensions to our attack while Valencia is just a bland, tumescent, impotent player who adds nothing to our attacks.

As for the Leicester incident, quite simply Valencia wouldn't have been shrugged off the ball like that! Foul or not.


I like Rafael a lot and in a different system I think he is brilliant but he doesn't suit the football we currently play. Having an outlet like Valencia who rarely ever loses the ball is important. He isn't asked to dribble past people or take risks which is why it's not an issue that he doesn't do these things. If he's passed the ball and is under pressure, which is often for the fullbacks in this system of playing out from the back, he can hold off and find a safe pass much better than Rafael can because he's built like an Ox.


Arguing over which one is best is like arguing over whether you should play Inzaghi or Drogba. You can't just pick your favourite, you have to take into consideration what the rest of the team is doing. If you're going to be playing the ball to chest, feet or head then you'd choose Drogba, if you're going to be playing the ball in behind the defence, across the box or have players shooting from distance then you'd rather have Inzaghi pouncing.

That's how I see it anyway, we have Mata and Herrera working the right wing, it's much more important we have a pragmatic fullback facilitating them than one who might also add some creativity.

You can't exactly make that argument no more than I could argue Valencia wouldn't have been in the right position for the incident to occur, the point still stands, the response would've been entirely different.

It seems to me (and I'm sure you'll disagree) that Valencia's 'solidarity' has stemmed from his lack of creativity and offensive imput, not from him actually being solid. Its like because he offers little going forward it must mean he's great defensively, which he really isn't, he's at about the same level as Rafael.

In fact I'd take that point you made and turn it on its head, I beleive Rafael is the better suited to this system. Rafael plays with intensity, he presses, he wants the ball and he moves the ball on quickly.

If we really want a defensively solid player who doesn't want to take risks or contribute much to the attack we might as well have done with it and stick another CB there.

 

[Gannicus]

I'd say that's nonsense.

Amongst fans Rafael has this reputation for being a cavalier who's dynamic link up play adds whole new dimensions to our attack while Valencia is just a bland, tumescent, impotent player who adds nothing to our attacks.

As for the Leicester incident, quite simply Valencia wouldn't have been shrugged off the ball like that! Foul or not.


I like Rafael a lot and in a different system I think he is brilliant but he doesn't suit the football we currently play. Having an outlet like Valencia who rarely ever loses the ball is important. He isn't asked to dribble past people or take risks which is why it's not an issue that he doesn't do these things. If he's passed the ball and is under pressure, which is often for the fullbacks in this system of playing out from the back, he can hold off and find a safe pass much better than Rafael can because he's built like an Ox.


Arguing over which one is best is like arguing over whether you should play Inzaghi or Drogba. You can't just pick your favourite, you have to take into consideration what the rest of the team is doing. If you're going to be playing the ball to chest, feet or head then you'd choose Drogba, if you're going to be playing the ball in behind the defence, across the box or have players shooting from distance then you'd rather have Inzaghi pouncing.

That's how I see it anyway, we have Mata and Herrera working the right wing, it's much more important we have a pragmatic fullback facilitating them than one who might also add some creativity.

Great post overall, but I have to disagree that Valencia would never have been shrugged off by Vardy. It was a top mauling.

Valencia has done the job and I'm good with him seeing the season out at right back, but we ought not to overlook his mistakes either.

Let's stipulate for the sake of argument that Rafael was entirely at fault when Vardy fouled him, that offense comes nowhere near the shambolic mess of Valencia's under hit backpass against Arsenal. And Valencia also acquitted himself very poorly for the first goal against Arsenal as well.

 

[Rezyuz]

Ironic you can criticise stats in the same post you include a stat as ludicrous as the one in your last paragraph.

Quite sad if you even think that "9/10" is me actually saying something based on truth, instead of me implying that the majority of his actions ruin an attack.

Its like your mom told you "Im sick of you not bringing your plates to the kitchen, 9/10 times when i get home the entire table is covered".

And you would of course reply with "Mom dammit, it only happened 430 times out of 650 meals. Thats not 9/10 but 215/325!!!"

 

[Gannicus]

Reading a previous post just now I agree with the point about "stare competitions". Valencia has to rid that shit out his game. His work in the last this overall is rather poor, but his work in the middle third is excellent and his actual defending his own third has been patchy, but solid enough.

United are on a roll and you don't mess with what's working right. But viewed in isolation on pure ability, Rafael is a substantially better right fullback. But he has to be able to maintain fitness to secure a place at any top club.

 

[Pexbo]

Great post overall, but I have to disagree that Valencia would never have been shrugged off by Vardy. It was a top mauling.

Valencia has done the job and I'm good with him seeing the season out at right back, but we ought not to overlook his mistakes either.

Let's stipulate for the sake of argument that Rafael was entirely at fault when Vardy fouled him, that offense comes nowhere near the shambolic mess of Valencia's under hit backpass against Arsenal. And Valencia also acquitted himself very poorly for the first goal against Arsenal as well.

I think Valencia has shown a really learning curve from December to now and if he played 38 league games for us next season, in a settled defence with regular players ahead of him every game, he'd put in such a shift that would have him talked about as the best right back in the league. He's really settled into the role.


While we're not overlooking his mistakes, we should also not overlook the fact that over the course of the season virtually every player has a handful of mistakes.

You should also remember this is coming from someone with an irrational dislike for him developed over the last few seasons of tumescent shite.

The only thing I worry about is his age, we should be looking to secure the position for the future. I'm still not ruling Rafael out, Herrera has told of how he was taken out of the team until he learned to play Van Gaal's way, I see no reason why Rafael can't do the same. Van Gaal has always complimented his attitude.

 

[Pexbo]

Quite sad if you even think that "9/10" is me actually saying something based on truth, instead of me implying that the majority of his actions ruin an attack.

Its like your mom told you "Im sick of you not bringing your plates to the kitchen, 9/10 times when i get home the entire table is covered".

And you would of course reply with "Mom dammit, it only happened 430 times out of 650 meals. Thats not 9/10 but 215/325!!!"

Well that told Pogue.

 

[Brightonian]

For me it's pretty simple. Rafael is a superb footballer, significantly better at RB than Valencia and easily good enough to be our first choice. However, his injuries are just too regular for us to make plans around him.

Valencia is doing a great job, but remains a noticeably limited player and, despite how well he's adapted, not a natural RB. We saw another instance at Villa when he had mispositioned himself and was forced to let an opponent (Weimann, I think?) run straight past him in our box to avoid conceding a penalty. So I think we definitely need to get in a quality first-choice right-back in the summer, and Valencia will make for a very respectable back-up.

 

[Clas Sified]

For me it's pretty simple. Rafael is a superb footballer, significantly better at RB than Valencia and easily good enough to be our first choice. However, his injuries are just too regular for us to make plans around him.

Valencia is doing a great job, but remains a noticeably limited player and, despite how well he's adapted, not a natural RB. We saw another instance at Villa when he had mispositioned himself and was forced to let an opponent (Weimann, I think?) run straight past him in our box to avoid conceding a penalty. So I think we definitely need to get in a quality first-choice right-back in the summer, and Valencia will make for a very respectable back-up.

Although I remember cringing at the time, positioning is something that can be taught over time. Valencia already has the necessary physical attributes, he just needs to learn the finer details of how to play at RB. He'll be fine for the next few seasons at least, we have more important places to invest in.

 

[matt23]

I assumed the main reason for the isolation of Rafael was we're after buying a RB in the summer, actually I'd put money on it.

Makes sense if you think about it, Tony would bee a great bench option while Rafael probably wants to drop a level to get games.

 

[Gannicus]

I think Valencia has shown a really learning curve from December to now and if he played 38 league games for us next season, in a settled defence with regular players ahead of him every game, he'd put in such a shift that would have him talked about as the best right back in the league. He's really settled into the role.


While we're not overlooking his mistakes, we should also not overlook the fact that over the course of the season virtually every player has a handful of mistakes.

You should also remember this is coming from someone with an irrational dislike for him developed over the last few seasons of tumescent shite.

The only thing I worry about is his age, we should be looking to secure the position for the future. I'm still not ruling Rafael out, Herrera has told of how he was taken out of the team until he learned to play Van Gaal's way, I see no reason why Rafael can't do the same. Van Gaal has always complimented his attitude.

I agree with all that, but then I go back to wondering just what mistakes Rafael committed under Louis's watch. He was enjoying a very good spell before Leicester City but then the Vardy foul happened and we haven't seen much of him since then. A "muscle injury" then a cheekbone fracture happened, steady reserve appearances of late and a 6 week run of being on the bench with the first team.

What I'd like to see is a first half happen where we're out of sight 3-0 so that Louis would be comfortable putting Rafael on for a full 45 minutes. Then we'll get a good look at whether he's comfortable in a posseession game instead instead of being in full attack mode all the time.

 

[Brightonian]

Although I remember cringing at the time, positioning is something that can be taught over time. Valencia already has the necessary physical attributes, he just needs to learn the finer details of how to play at RB. He'll be fine for the next few seasons at least, we have more important places to invest in.

I don't really agree, I think RB is at the very least the second weakest spot in our team at the moment, given Rafael's near-permanent unavailability. Arguably if we let Falcao and RVP both go then we'll need a striker more, but other than that I don't see where we're more in need of reinforcement. Yes, we could do with a CB but with Smalling, Jones and Rojo all performing admirably at the moment that's hardly urgent. Likewise LVG might want a physical CM but with Carrick, Blind, Herrera and Fellaini all amongst our best performers right now I don't see any argument that we need a midfielder more than a RB.

 

[ivaldo]

Although I remember cringing at the time, positioning is something that can be taught over time. Valencia already has the necessary physical attributes, he just needs to learn the finer details of how to play at RB. He'll be fine for the next few seasons at least, we have more important places to invest in.

There are vastly more experienced defenders who still get this wrong, Valencia isn't an overly intelligent player and it could take him years to get this right.

 

[Darwin09]

This is the Valencia v. Nani debate all over again.

It seems obvious that managers, including 2 of the greatest managers in the history of football, have preferred Valencia's consistent but conservative style over the more creative but temperamental Nani and Rafael. I would reckon that Valencia will hold that spot until we can find a player that can bring that creativity that Valencia lacks but can also sustain the discipline that helps the team.

 

[Ekeke]

The answers during our recent run haven't been disappointing though have they. We have looked much stronger recently with Valencia, not Rafael playing.

In spite of Valencia, and because we have played lesser opposition.

The last time we played a good team we were taught a lesson for having Valencia as our first choice. We shouldnt be forgetting our lessons so soon or we'll make them again.

Although I remember cringing at the time, positioning is something that can be taught over time. Valencia already has the necessary physical attributes, he just needs to learn the finer details of how to play at RB. He'll be fine for the next few seasons at least, we have more important places to invest in.

He's been playing right back for quite a while now. If he hasn't shown the slightest indication of learning the positioning of a right back, its very unlikely to happen when he's 29. Not everyone is Ashley Young

 

[bosnian_red]

Still think injuries are the reason we've seen Rafael dropped, he cannot be relied upon throughout an entire season. Think some are over analyzing.

Definitely the main reason IMO. Van Gaal values stability and consistency so with Rafael always getting injured, he just gave up on having him first choice (because he was that at the start of the season). Performance wise though Valencia has done a good job and deserves to stay in the team.

 

[RU Devil]

Odd how many here are slating Valencia. Sure, he isn't the greatest RB in the league, but he's more than adequate for our current needs. The soccernet article was spot on in that we needed Rafael to do all that bombing along the right flank for us. I mean, who did we have on the right flank in SAF's last year? That's right, Valencia (& maybe Nani). So Rafael had to be adventurous and be a main point of attack, going past Valencia.

Our current team doesn't need a Rafael to do all that creating & attacking. LVG wants the front players to take the bulk of that role, not the fullbacks. So Valencia currently fits the bill and does it rather well. Run up & down the side, but not necessarily as incisive or adventurous as Rafael.

Still not sure whether one or the other is better defensively. Figure Valencia is more likely to be available defensively as he seems less likely to bomb forward as Rafael. Maybe it's just that LVG has gotten comfortable with Valencia, especially when he's guarding the Mata/ADM wing. I thought he'd possibly drop him for a game after the slip up vs Arsenal, but maybe Rafael wasn't ready?

I hope Rafael & Valencia are in the RB picture next season, and not necessarily another RB brought in. There are more pressing needs (unless LVG really doesn't rate Rafael).

 

[Ekeke]

Odd how many here are slating Valencia. Sure, he isn't the greatest RB in the league, but he's more than adequate for our current needs. The soccernet article was spot on in that we needed Rafael to do all that bombing along the right flank for us. I mean, who did we have on the right flank in SAF's last year? That's right, Valencia (& maybe Nani). So Rafael had to be adventurous and be a main point of attack, going past Valencia.

Our current team doesn't need a Rafael to do all that creating & attacking. LVG wants the front players to take the bulk of that role, not the fullbacks. So Valencia currently fits the bill and does it rather well. Run up & down the side, but not necessarily as incisive or adventurous as Rafael.

Still not sure whether one or the other is better defensively. Figure Valencia is more likely to be available defensively as he seems less likely to bomb forward as Rafael. Maybe it's just that LVG has gotten comfortable with Valencia, especially when he's guarding the Mata/ADM wing. I thought he'd possibly drop him for a game after the slip up vs Arsenal, but maybe Rafael wasn't ready?

I hope Rafael & Valencia are in the RB picture next season, and not necessarily another RB brought in. There are more pressing needs (unless LVG really doesn't rate Rafael).

You're forgetting the far more important point that Rafael is a far better defender. So if we dont need someone bombing down the right? Great. That suits Rafael far better than Valencia, as Rafael is a defender first and foremost while Valencia is an athlete first and foremost

 

[Raoul]

In spite of Valencia, and because we have played lesser opposition.

The last time we played a good team we were taught a lesson for having Valencia as our first choice. We shouldnt be forgetting our lessons so soon or we'll make them again.



He's been playing right back for quite a while now. If he hasn't shown the slightest indication of learning the positioning of a right back, its very unlikely to happen when he's 29. Not everyone is Ashley Young

Spurs and Liverpool are lesser opposition ? interesting.

I'd imagine Van Gaal disagrees with your assessment on Valencia, which is precisely why he is playing.

 

[Ekeke]

Spurs and Liverpool are lesser opposition ? interesting.

I'd imagine Van Gaal disagrees with your assessment on Valencia, which is precisely why he is playing.

Than Arsenal? Yes.

And yes I'm sure LVG disagrees, like he disagreed that Ander should obviously be playing

 

[NL Max]

Definitely the main reason IMO. Van Gaal values stability and consistency so with Rafael always getting injured, he just gave up on having him first choice (because he was that at the start of the season). Performance wise though Valencia has done a good job and deserves to stay in the team.

Valencia came in at rightback because of injury and according to van Gaal he hasn't had a terrible match so far. He even said he played well vs Arsenal with the exception of that horrible backpass. I think van Gaal has had no reason to switch him since he's been so reliable in our already constantly changing back 4. We've seen he doesn't drop players who are performing, he had no reason to drop Valencia.

As for not taking on players anymore, he's not allowed to. Rightbacks can't do this in van Gaal's system (only risk-free), so even if Rafael came back in we'd see him do the same. If Rafael does take on defenders unsuccesfully, he'd be dropped again.

If he can still improve on his defending and his final ball, he'd be a great rightback. If Rafael really is out of the picture I'd like to see a new first team player come in though.

 

[Ekeke]

Valencia came in at rightback because of injury and according to van Gaal he hasn't had a terrible match so far. He even said he played well vs Arsenal with the exception of that horrible backpass. I think van Gaal has had no reason to switch him since he's been so reliable in our already constantly changing back 4. We've seen he doesn't drop players who are performing, he had no reason to drop Valencia.

As for not taking on players anymore, he's not allowed to. Rightbacks can't do this in van Gaal's system (only risk-free), so even if Rafael came back in we'd see him do the same. If Rafael does take on defenders unsuccesfully, he'd be dropped again.

If he can still improve on his defending and his final ball, he'd be a great rightback. If Rafael really is out of the picture I'd like to see a new first team player come in though.

Blind has taken on players at left back, but Ashley Young far more so. He attacked just as much as he does in his current wing position and was very effective doing it.

Position isnt the reason for Valencia's cowardice, he gave up trying to beat people a long time ago while he was still playing on the wing