Had a good game but some poor passes that got intercepted. Guess thats ok considering that it was a high intensity game.
Rafael
- Thread starter Sultan
- Start date
-
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.
He made his debut in the cup win over Spurs. Granted it wasn't a league match but it was a debut nonetheless. He looked pretty damn good as well.
Just for good show he was 60-68 in passing, of the 8 mis-passes, 4 were crosses, only 2 were for interception.
He made 2 interceptions himself, both in counter attacking situations.
6 for 9 tackling.
Position sense was not as bad as displayed by you lot: only 3 out of position in attack for West Ham, one of which snuffed out by Berbatov... and he only "dove in" 3 times, one for foul.
Beaten 4 times during the match, for a lad who's 18 and learning, this is a brilliant ratio in regards to the amount of time he was being attacked.
Had more touches and dribbles all match than the likes of Carrick, Ronaldo, etc.
A GREAT match by the numbers
He made 2 interceptions himself, both in counter attacking situations.
6 for 9 tackling.
Position sense was not as bad as displayed by you lot: only 3 out of position in attack for West Ham, one of which snuffed out by Berbatov... and he only "dove in" 3 times, one for foul.
Beaten 4 times during the match, for a lad who's 18 and learning, this is a brilliant ratio in regards to the amount of time he was being attacked.
Had more touches and dribbles all match than the likes of Carrick, Ronaldo, etc.
A GREAT match by the numbers
What I just noticed today is his strength. Some on here were worried about how he might lose out to bigger, more physical players. Well I thought he handled himself pretty well himself, and used his body well too. It wouldn't hurt for him to put on a few muscular pounds, but he's just about strong enough as it is.
As for composure, I didn't see him display any less than O'Shea on the other side. For large parts the match was played at a crazy pace, and even a couple of more experienced players (such as Carrick) visibly felt the pressure as well.
As for composure, I didn't see him display any less than O'Shea on the other side. For large parts the match was played at a crazy pace, and even a couple of more experienced players (such as Carrick) visibly felt the pressure as well.
I commented on this during the match as well. He doesn't look that strong, but he's very capable of holding players off the ball. In fact he does that Anderson routine, i.e. sticking his arse out and using it as a buffer. Is that what they teach the kids in Brazil?
There was one incident where he shrugged off a West Ham player on the touchline as he was running around the outside of him, which isn't easy to do.
Fabio & Rafael both in against Derby please Fergie
Fabio & Rafael both in against Derby please Fergie
Played well, he looks to have bulked up a fair bit, he looked far stronger, still dives in too much but he's quality. Could do with improving his crossing mind was a bit shit last night.
There was one incident where he shrugged off a West Ham player on the touchline as he was running around the outside of him, which isn't easy to do.
Fabio & Rafael both in against Derby please Fergie
Yeah i noticed this too, can't remember who it was he shrugged off but I remember thinking at the time that this was part of his game I was worried about early on, thinking he could be bullied off the ball and such but it must be something that they've worked on as he seems a lot stronger now than earlier in the season.
For a small lad he doesn't half get stuck in!
I don't think there's any need to worry about his crossing, may have been a bit off yesterday but he's done more than enough to show he's a very good crosser of the ball. The game a few weeks back when he crossed for Tevez to score was a perfect example of this.
Is he small though.
Doesn't look it to me.
Maybe his barnet make him look taller than he is...
He just seems smaller compared to the rest of the team - i'd be interested actually to see how tall the lad was.
Edit: According to wiki he's 5ft 8 - which to me is fairly short. His barnet probably gives him another inch or two!
According to Wikipedia he is 5ft 8.
Which, to be fair, if correct - then he is a short arse.
Short arse it is then.
How old is it when you stop growing? Maybe he's got another inch or two in him yet.
How old is it when you stop growing? Maybe he's got another inch or two in him yet.
He's fastly becoming first choice right back for me, I think he's great and settled very well into the team. Great piece of business getting Rafa and Fabio!
Whoever spotted them should get a bonus!
Whoever spotted them should get a bonus!
At 5'8, he's no shorter than Denis Irwin, Ashley Cole, so it's not an issue. His willingness and ability to use his strength at 18 is quite remarkable, considering his relatively slight built, and he can only get stronger. I've not been as impressed by one of our youngsters in their debut season in a long time, as I am with Rafael and Fabio. Really looking forward to seeing them develop.
I am actually more impressed with Evans.
Not as exciting to watch, but far more mature in his game, and overall better IMO.
The kid done well but as many posters have noted he needs to work on his positional play and crossing. Know he is still learning but they are the things he needs to improve if he is to take next step and become worldclass.
Agreed, quality player.
I know people talk of this positional play but he's an attacking full back and every full back at some point needs other players to cover for them.
His crossing is actually pretty good for the most part
Its all good anyway
He will have to go through the same as Evra, and as Evra, he's highly talented and will surely adapt. Plus he's much younger than Evra, we might see him for the next 14 years running down that right side
Thats some prospect isn't it!
Lets just hope he does goes on to fulfill his undoubted massive potential.
Evans as done brilliantly, and is a quality prospect but we all kinda had a belief that he was going to be a very good player.
Rafael and Fabio came from Brazil after playing minimal football out there and come into the team and haven't looked out of place. Personally, think its fantastic!
It's great.
But if you asked me who, at the moment was the better player, I'd say Evans.
Personally I think he's the best crosser in our team.
He has a great cross on him, just a little inconsistant. Mind you, there's not too many full backs who deliver great crosses consistantly.
You reckon him and his brother may already be a step above with the crossing given their attacking history.
Someone even suggested somewhere (Facebook discussion I think) That he could be more suited as a left winger, would bring him into the squad more and really use his attacking skills that eclipse his brothers.
Ive seen him play alot better attacking wise really, didnt get forward as much.
Its fabios turn next for me.
Its fabios turn next for me.
Agreed that Evans is probably better all round at the moment, but he's an established Northern Irish international even before he started breaking into the United first team. And even then he had a wobbly first couple of games. I have seen mistakes from Rafael, but hardly any nerves.
He's 18, playing in a new league in a new country, playing with a new team with a different style of play. He probably can't even speak English really well, and here he is starting for Manchester United in his first season. Sure he's made errors, but none of it from stage fright or being overawed. This guy wants the ball, and he wants to be in the thick of the game immediately. That is why I admire him, and I think we'll continue to see the same from Fabio if he get his chance.
It's just great the we've got players like them, Evans included. If all goes well, they could probably be our starting defence 5 years from now, maybe less.
Not surprising, considering Evans has had two seasons of professional football in England under his belt. One as an integral part of a Championship winning side, one in the Premiership. Whereas Rafael has walked straight into the United first team.
Big statement. I agree though.
Might be a bit harsh on Nani to be fair.
But in terms of full backs he has the potential to be right up there with the best, very few full backs can whip in a decent ball.
Clichy, Evra and Cole are the three best left backs around really, and they're rubbish at crossing.
I think Nani's crosses are too inconsistent for him to be called the best crosser of the ball at United. I've changed my mind anyway, I forgot about Hargreaves!
Agree with the other 3 being rubbish at crossing. From what little I have seen, Fabio looks pretty damn good at them also.
Talking about a lad who:
A) Is eighteen years of age.
B) Flown half way across the globe..
C) ..To the toughest league in the world
D) Hadn't played competitive football for a year prior to his United debut
A) Is eighteen years of age.
B) Flown half way across the globe..
C) ..To the toughest league in the world
D) Hadn't played competitive football for a year prior to his United debut
Alves is a fantastic crosser and with free kicks, but not as good a defender as them.
I have high hopes for Rafael and especially Fabio in the attacking department.
I think Alves is underrated as a defender.
One-on-one, he's a top defender. Tackling-wise he's a top defender. The only flaw he had at Sevilla was that he drifted about too much leaving space, but for Brazil and Barcelona he's rarely been caught out in that way.
I think it's just because he was just given that freedom to get on the ball as much as possible and as far forward as possible because he was so important to their attacking play.
Brilliant right back.
So his start in English football hasn't been half bad, has it?
Nah, puh-lease. I love the Brazilian Nevilles but one assist to Tevez does not make him the best crosser in our team. In terms of crossing ability.
1. Nani (lost count of dozen of goals from corner he took as compared to Giggsy, Carrick, Scholes, Rooney's corners)
2. Ronaldo (whips it in at pace)
3.Evra delivers some brilliant crosses at times
In the league last year, 3 assists from corners. Sunderland, Everton, Liverpool.
Oh, yeah, that's what I was basing it on. That one assist for Tevez. Not like he's whipped in a number of good crosses that haven't been turned in or anything....
Evra's shite at crossing, and I think Rafael's a better crosser than Ronaldo. As is Hargreaves.
1. Nani
2. Hargreaves
3. Rafael
That's how it is I reckon.