Apologies then Sharky.
Rafael
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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.
ha ha no worries, the internet's a tough place to decipher tongue in cheek.
Why? We still need it for strengthening else where
He's starting to convince me the little wizard. The tackles that were reckless are now looking very aggresive but controlled. The positioning has improved no end, and he's linking up superbly with our forward lines. He's come on so much in such a short space of time. No doubt really now that even as JOS's biggest supporter on here Raf has the right back spot sorted. He's still not as good as some on here are making out, but he really really could be the worlds best right back. Lets hope he stays out of the spotlight for many years and doesn't attract attention from Real and the likes.
What is still underrated is his tackling. When on form, which he is, he is an excellent tackler. Wins the ball A LOT.
I agree, he is very determined and is always stealing the ball.
Can he get any better?
Since the Bayern match last season he has improved so much in defending, general positional play, heading etc..
Since the Bayern match last season he has improved so much in defending, general positional play, heading etc..
I am not sure, he is playing with such energy and passion. I would like to see more of his rampages through the middle, because he is very dangerous when he does this. He is a defender so I understand why these are quite rare.
Definitely.
Apart from the fact that his age means he's bound to get better he is still prone to the occasional defensive lapse when he's up against wingers less predictable than Dirk "converted striker" Kuyt.
That's no big deal though. Every young footballer has room for improvement. What's great about Rafael is the rate at which this improvement is happening. He's almost getting better by the game.
will be interesting when Valencia comes back.
With Nani in front there is good space on the wing for him - as Nani drifts inside. When Valencia is back in front of him that space won't be there as much as Valencia is a hug the line winger. Will be interesting to see how/if Rafael adapts his game to still offer a threat.
That's cool bro
Maybe it'll be Valencia thats told to adapt his game.
Valencia cuts inside fairly frequently. I don't think he'll have to adapt his game much at all.
Nani & Evra on the left. Valencia & Rafael on the right.
That's an absolute onslaught of pace on the wings.
That's an absolute onslaught of pace on the wings.
Really?
As much as I like Valencia, he is incredibly predictable. He invariably gets to the byline and crosses. He is extremely one footed which makes cutting inside less useful for him.
Thats not to say he is a bad player, if anything, the fact that defenders must know exactly what he is going to do, yet he still manages to swing in plenty of extremely good crosses, shows how good at it he actually is.
Aye, it's a bit of a myth that he doesn't based on the fact his left foot isn't up to much. I've always thought he was particularly dangerous when he slips a ball inside for a one two (often to Berbatov) and makes a run between the full back and centre half.
Yea Valencia cuts inside plenty, and the one two Brophs just mentioned has led to some very good chances. He's also linked up with Rafael brilliantly last season so I see no reason to expect anything but more of the same when he returns.
Like cina says; our pace on the flanks will be amazing.
Like cina says; our pace on the flanks will be amazing.
Yes. Really.
He like to cut inside and link up with players in central positions. A Good example being the sexy exchange of back-heels between himself, Berbatov and Rooney in the CL game away against CSKA. Or when he smacked the cross-bar in the Bursapor game (I think?) after exchanging passes with Nani.
If anything he has more license to overlap with Valencia in the team. Valencia puts in a good shift tracking back.
Valancia's cutting inside can get much better
Was just looking at GettyImages and there is a picture of Maxi "The Prick" Rodriguez who is going down in agony with Rafael behind him. Not sure if people remember the incident but, it was when Rafael maybe stood slightly on his foot from behind but, he went down in a heap and was holding his leg around his knee. Was clearly looking to try and get him carded, tried it earlier.
Think a lot of players have tried that with Rafael this season, over play things because he has been a bit rash in the past but, thankfully it seems he is getting smarter and secondly refs aren't falling as much (still do a I think a little) for their antics against him.
So cuddly wuddly, why would anyone want to try send him o
Think a lot of players have tried that with Rafael this season, over play things because he has been a bit rash in the past but, thankfully it seems he is getting smarter and secondly refs aren't falling as much (still do a I think a little) for their antics against him.
So cuddly wuddly, why would anyone want to try send him o
I've always been a fan of Rafael. He's an inspired young player, who always gives his all, which makes him fun to watch. If Fabio can develop at a similar rate after getting some games under his belt, we'll be in sorted at wing back for many years.
Loved it when Beglin said something like it was Rafael's tackle on a Liverpool player that goaded Gerrard into flying at Carrick. fecking priceless.
i don't know about anybody else but I'm constantly impressed by Rafael and part of me is at some point expecting this run of form to come to an end. And I don't mean that in a bad way it's just it seems unnatural for a 20 year old to perform so abley aon such a stage. It's almost too good to be true i guess is what i'm trying to say.
he's got the footballing ability of a Brazilian yet the mindset of a manchester born and raised lad - tough as old boots and happy to get well stuck in as and when required.
rafael actually cuts inside a hell of a lot for a full back. unorthodox. fabio does similarly.
i don't know about anybody else but I'm constantly impressed by Rafael and part of me is at some point expecting this run of form to come to an end. And I don't mean that in a bad way it's just it seems unnatural for a 20 year old to perform so abley aon such a stage. It's almost too good to be true i guess is what i'm trying to say.
he's got the footballing ability of a Brazilian yet the mindset of a manchester born and raised lad - tough as old boots and happy to get well stuck in as and when required.
I see the shirt sponsorship has had a subliminal affect of you jgray
I agree about being constantly impressed with him but I'm not expecting it to suddenly come to an end, I'm happy to accept he's not human and carry on enjoying it!
Hmmm... That incident was when Rafael (accidentally, to be fair) raked his Achilles with his studs. Which REALLY fecking hurts, believe me.
Agreed, I'm convinced his left foot will get better.
or appear. That being said, if Valencia does find his left peg he's going to be some player.
BBC - Football Tactics: Bale and Rafael square up again
Article is a good read. Perhaps the media are finally waking up to his potential and he'll get some credit rather than the "yeah but's he young and Brazillian so must be bad defensively" stick he seems to beaten with.
Article is a good read. Perhaps the media are finally waking up to his potential and he'll get some credit rather than the "yeah but's he young and Brazillian so must be bad defensively" stick he seems to beaten with.
Yeah i was gonna bump this earlier too after reading that, and seeing Henry Winter almost ejaculating on MUTV earlier when talking about him. It seems the press are really starting to realise how good Rafael is, and if he wins the battle against the media darling Bale on Sunday, then people really will start to sit up and take notice of him.
Rafael v Messi - Part II
Doubt it has much to do with Bale "learning lessons", though. He relies on the fact that most fullbacks can't match his pace, and that those who can will generally be advancing further up the pitch to join the attack. If Rafael does what he did at OT, and makes marking Bale his first priority, Bale's just not going to have the open space to do anything.
The other thing that article omits is what seems the obvious explanation for why so few of the crosses Bale did make were successful: Rio and Vidic. Fair to say that's a tremendously difficult pair of defenders to get crosses by.
The other thing that article omits is what seems the obvious explanation for why so few of the crosses Bale did make were successful: Rio and Vidic. Fair to say that's a tremendously difficult pair of defenders to get crosses by.
The main thing is Bale is that he's only going to beat you for pace and strength. If you get tight he's going to find it hard to do that. Maicon was just standing off him and saying "knock and run".
Exactly. If you stand off him and let him build up a head of steam he'll destroy you. Thats not in Rafaels nature but, he always defends very tight. If he's onto Bale as soon as he gets the ball he's got a much better chance of interceptin him, and not lettin him get into his stride. Bale struggles when he doesnt have space to run into, if we defend as well as we're capable of i dont think he'll cause too much problems. VDV or Modric could very well be their dangermen for this one.
I was talking to Rafael tonight.
Evra always seems to struggle against Lennon.
Exactly, also his low dribbling and passing stats seem to be put down to him just having a bad day at the office, with very little credit given to our players. His dribbling couldn't have been cut short by a brilliant Rafael, and his passes couldn't have been cut out by Carrick's reading of the game, no no, Bale was just tired.
He has done in the past, but he was fine at OT from what I remember.
Saw the article earlier. I didnt really think they did Rafael enough credit - the majority of the talk was about Bale and how so few fullbacks have managed to stop him. Rafaels form, potential and the fact that he is currently the best RB in the league wasnt really mentioned at all.
Still, massive game for the lad on Sunday - if he keeps Bale quiet again then even the media and pundits will be unable to ignore him. (I know they dont ignore him at the moment but he certainly doesnt get the recognition he deserves, not like the likes of Bale).
Still, massive game for the lad on Sunday - if he keeps Bale quiet again then even the media and pundits will be unable to ignore him. (I know they dont ignore him at the moment but he certainly doesnt get the recognition he deserves, not like the likes of Bale).