Taking Rafael off

[Aint gota Kalou]

Genius move from Fergie. At first I wondered what he was doing but after Valencia set up the equaliser it made sense. Park occupying Vermalaen meant it was Arshavin who had to track Valencia, and look at what happened for Welbecks goal.

Class.

 

[Silva]

You're over thinking it, he might have taken Rafael off because he was on a yellow and would probably have been sent off for all we know, don't try to read the great mans mind. Worked out fairly well either way though.

 

[ArmchairCritic]

Yeah what Silva said.

 

[Lynk]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

 

[Aint gota Kalou]

Didn't see immediately sub on Rafael after Arshavin came on the pitch though? Looked pretty obvious it was in his mind for me.

 

[Cutch]

Rafael played for an hour, isn't long back from injury and was on a booking. Made sense

 

[R.N7]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

Not really, no.

 

[Orton]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

No, he wasn't. He lost the ball in the Arsenal box, a collection of things could have happened or been different in the build up, also think the keeper should have done better.

 

[gza the genius]

Personally thought it was a terrible sub at the time. Why would we possibly want to take Valencia off the wing. It worked out in the end though, oh well.

 

[soapythecat]

I thought he picked up a strain, that's why he came off early?? Looked uncomfortable walking off.

 

[Justin]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

I thought Rooney could have played him a better ball where he didn't have to go out of his stride

 

[Lynk]

No, he wasn't. He lost the ball in the Arsenal box, a collection of things could have happened or been different in the build up, also think the keeper should have done better.

Arsenal exploited the space that Rafael left behind.

 

[Rado_N]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

That's a bit harsh, when a fullback goes on a run like that you expect a team mate to cover for his defensive position.

 

[forevrared]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

Was actually about the only thing Valencia did wrong all day I thought, not picking up Ox when Rafa went forward.

 

[Ferguson]

I think it was a move made to give more defensive solidity, not because of some plan to have Arshavin track Valencia.

Park is a strong defender, and Rafael may have let positional indiscipline get the better of him when Arsenal scored their goal.

 

[Carl]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

Unbelievably harsh.

And wrong.

 

[Wan]

It's up to the others to cover him at that point.

 

[I'm always right]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

So on that logic, every time our strikers/forwards get tackled in the opposition box and we lose a goal on the counter, it's the strikers fault.

If you didn't see it first time, here it is again

 

[Top]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

 

[Brwned]

No, he wasn't. He lost the ball in the Arsenal box, a collection of things could have happened or been different in the build up, also think the keeper should have done better.

It was a little too cavalier, I think. Part and parcel of our game and Rafael's game though, that's just how he plays and it's what we've been known for under Sir Alex...it comes back and bites you on the arse sometimes.

I thought he got a knock though.

 

[Cutch]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

For attacking? Nah Valencia should have been fillin in for him

 

[ArmchairCritic]

Rooney should have drawn the defender more on the counter, harsh to blame Rafael on that.

 

[R.N7]

It was a fine goal, would be incredibly harsh to blame anyone for it.

 

[Godfather]

That's a bit harsh, when a fullback goes on a run like that you expect a team mate to cover for his defensive position.

A bit harsh? It's complete bollox. Not like he lost the ball in a dangerous area or sth. Someone else should have covered. They were lucky as well. A pass through the legs, and Lindegaard almost saved it. Great shot from Persie though.

 

[Richter]

When your team is leading a big game with 20 mins left rushing forward as a right back like Rafael did can prove costly if things go wrong and in this instance it did, Arsenal countered and scored in the following attack with Rafael MIA in his own half. Not entirely his fault they scored but poor judgement by Rafael.

 

[Aint gota Kalou]

If it was purely because of Rafaels defensive naiveness and the fact he was on a yellow card why wasn't Park put on straight away after in the injury? It definitely seemed like a reaction to Arshavin playing to me anyways. Whatever his reasoning was it worked great!

 

[Rado_N]

A bit harsh? It's complete bollox. Not like he lost the ball in a dangerous area or sth. Someone else should have covered. They were lucky as well. A pass through the legs, and Lindegaard almost saved it. Great shot from Persie though.

I was trying to be polite

 

[Snow]

Harsh? Stupid to blame it on him. He was almost through on goal. We had Carrick and Giggs neither pressing the midfield or tracking back and I didn't know what Smalling and Evans were doing together in the goal. It wasn't the most dangerous situation. 2 players ffs.

 

[I'm always right]

When your team is leading a big game with 20 mins left rushing forward as a right back like Rafael did can prove costly if things go wrong and in this instance it did, Arsenal countered and scored in the following attack with Rafael MIA in his own half. Not entirely his fault they scored but poor judgement by Rafael.

Nar mate, you can't just stop playing and stop attacking, we did that at the end and if not for Evans, we would've drawn the game.

With 20 to go you play your regular game.

The idea that you stop with 20 to go is bizarre. Oh, and had he not carried on his run, Rooney would've been alone with no support up against 3 Arsenal player, he had no choice but to support him and expect his teammates to cover.

 

[Justin]

When your team is leading a big game with 20 mins left rushing forward as a right back like Rafael did can prove costly if things go wrong and in this instance it did, Arsenal countered and scored in the following attack with Rafael MIA in his own half. Not entirely his fault they scored but poor judgement by Rafael.

It was a great chance to break and score second. There should have been enough cover at the back

 

[The_Midfielder]

When your team is leading a big game with 20 mins left rushing forward as a right back like Rafael did can prove costly if things go wrong and in this instance it did, Arsenal countered and scored in the following attack with Rafael MIA in his own half. Not entirely his fault they scored but poor judgement by Rafael.

Well it was nearly a goal.. Dont know what you are complaining about.. He did exactly what he was supposed to do..
He picked up the ball.. passed to Rooney.. Rooney started runing with the ball.. He ran to give him support..

 

[Varun]

Think it was because he was on a Yellow and had played for 60mins personally. worket out very nicely though.

 

[Brwned]

Nar mate, you can't just stop playing and stop attacking, we did that at the end and if not for Evans, we would've drawn the game.

With 20 to go you play your regular game.

The idea that you stop with 20 to go is bizarre. Oh, and had he not carried on his run, Rooney would've been alone with no support up against 3 Arsenal player, he had no choice but to support him and expect his teammates to cover.

Welbeck was out wide left looking to get in behind. He didn't need to do it he just chose to, and that attitude's generally what makes us love him, but it does have its downsides and the simple fact is Oxlade-Chamberlain wouldn't have been free if he didn't leave his position.

 

[LARulz]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

No he wasn't. He went forward to in what was a dangerous counter attack. It was only him, Rooney and Welbeck so he didn't go out of position in the sense Valencia was also up there too. We'd have all been livid if he hadn't continued his run and went into the empty space. It was more Valencia should have covered Rafael in that situation.

 

[gbgary]

Rooney should have drawn the defender more on the counter, harsh to blame Rafael on that.

rooney? the goal was on smalling, val, and carrick.

 

[I'm always right]

Welbeck was out wide left looking to get in behind. He didn't need to do it he just chose to, and that attitude's generally what makes us love him, but it does have its downsides and the simple fact is Oxlade-Chamberlain wouldn't have been free if he didn't leave his position.

Both SAF and Rooney would've gone absolutely mental had he not supported Rooney there, make no mistake about that.

Anyone who understands the game should realize that Valencia should've simply covered for him, and he was too late doing that.

 

[All 3 United]

saf brought Park on because 1) rafael was on a yellow 2) to add energy to a midfield, consisting of giggs and scholes. 3) Because he is a tactical genius

 

[Amir]

With 20 minutes so go I absolutely don't expect a defender to pass up the chance of joining a counter attack, it's way too early for that. With five minutes to go, maybe, but not so early.

I don't fault Rafael for the goal in any way.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Rafael was at fault for the goal.

He really wasn't. His potion should have been filled but ...Valencia. Simples.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

I though he looked like he had a knock. After Kolscielny's saving tackle on him he was having trouble getting up and down the pitch