[Litch]

Still don't see why he continues to get labelled with these big mistakes at key moments. I know he was rash and immature in his early days but it's something that he has improved greatly on. Every player is vulnerable to rash challenges and lapses in concentration but they don't get the same treatment as Rafael. He just seems to get labelled with it because of his past and not for what he actually produces now.

There are certainly been improvements but their remains a rashness in his game that remains IMO. Yep every player as you say is vulnerable to this but with Rafa, you can almost predict them before they happen. There's not a utd fan who didn't see the Leicester incident happening at the time. I'm not seeing the maturity in his game I'd expect of a player that's played so many games here.....

 

[legball]

In fairness Young and Valencia have been excellent. Hard to say they have been at fault as can't say Rafa hasn't had his own defensive lapses. To me it's down to LVG defensive set-up preference, and if it's 3 at the back, that changes everything in the future around personal. I suspect Rafa may go in the summer anyway.....to many mistakes in key moments in games.

I'm tired of this stereotype. It's lazy and baseless. How many mistakes has he done in key games in the past 3 seasons?

 

[Kag]

There's not a utd fan who didn't see the Leicester incident happening at the time.

You're right, the referee also perceived it that way. That's why assessing incidents on the basis of past reputation is outrageously stupid. The Leicester "incident" was only an incident because the referee had the same silly outlook as you. It was not a foul, and the style in which Rafael runs on a football field shouldn't dictate decisions.

 

[legball]

You're right, the referee also perceived it that way. That's why assessing incidents on the basis of past reputation is outrageously stupid. The Leicester "incident" was only an incident because the referee had the same silly outlook as you. It was not a foul, and the style in which Rafael runs on a football field shouldn't dictate decisions.

Couldn't have said it any better.

 

[Sied]

How the flying feck is that Leicester game still being used as a criticism of Rafael?!

 

[wiz4231]

There are certainly been improvements but their remains a rashness in his game that remains IMO. Yep every player as you say is vulnerable to this but with Rafa, you can almost predict them before they happen. There's not a utd fan who didn't see the Leicester incident happening at the time. I'm not seeing the maturity in his game I'd expect of a player that's played so many games here.....

You mean like how he got a yellow card on 12 mins against Chelsea and kept his head throughout the game up against Hazard?

 

[carlosp]

Yeah, Rafael didn't even touch the forward who fell like he had been tackled. Really bad referring decision. We've seen others of late too(not our team but other teams) all of which have been bad referring decisions.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

You mean like how he got a yellow card on 12 mins against Chelsea and kept his head throughout the game up against Hazard?

And that's not so very unusual these days either. Countless other players in the league might pick up early yellows with a similar frequency, however they avoid the "rash" tag.

 

[BennyBlanco]

How the flying feck is that Leicester game still being used as a criticism of Rafael?!

Yes, when the West Brom game, when he was caught 5 yards behind our backline for the Berahino goal is just a much better example.

 

[Kag]

His discipline when it comes to cards is nothing out of the ordinary either. Zabaleta, apparently the second coming of Christ, is far more prone to picking up bookings. Then there's Ivanovic, who while legitimately brilliant, is one of the most horrible defenders in the division.

His fitness record is a problem, certainly. He's played a third of our games this season and that just isn't acceptable for what is now the second injury hit season in a row. A replacement of equal, if not better, ability is needed. The "rash" thing is just bollocks, however. He's a fiery footballer by nature, but long gone are the days he is costing us due to petulance or downright silly defending.

 

[Litch]

You're right, the referee also perceived it that way. That's why assessing incidents on the basis of past reputation is outrageously stupid. The Leicester "incident" was only an incident because the referee had the same silly outlook as you. It was not a foul, and the style in which Rafael runs on a football field shouldn't dictate decisions.

How stupid that I would make an assessment based on the past. Tell me how the club assesses a player they plan to sign? Do you think they call mystic Meg to find out they are going to do in the future?

The incident at Leicester, thats a matter of opinion but for me, he obviously reacted badly to being pushed off the ball. Not saying it happens every week but when it happens, always seems to be game changing moments. No different to him being in a Brazil shirt. Not suggesting he's not a good player but I always get the feeling that he's always only one game away from another changing incident.

 

[Dumbat12]

The incident at Leicester, thats a matter of opinion but for me, he obviously reacted badly to being pushed off the ball. Not saying it happens every week but when it happens, always seems to be game changing moments. No different to him being in a Brazil shirt. Not suggesting he's not a good player but I always get the feeling that he's always only one game away from another changing incident.

Vardy dived and it was perfectly clear from the replays. Rafael was just running normally, trying to catch up to him as fast as he can. Don't blame Rafael for the ref's stupidity, please.

 

[kouroux]

Countdown has started for the next injury.

 

[Devil may care]

Nice to see him get a run out, he's got a lot to do to get back in the starting line-up but I'd love to see him play the full game against Stoke as he's not had a proper try as a RWB yet.

 

[fishfingers15]

How stupid that I would make an assessment based on the past. Tell me how the club assesses a player they plan to sign? Do you think they call mystic Meg to find out they are going to do in the future?

The incident at Leicester, thats a matter of opinion but for me, he obviously reacted badly to being pushed off the ball. Not saying it happens every week but when it happens, always seems to be game changing moments. No different to him being in a Brazil shirt. Not suggesting he's not a good player but I always get the feeling that he's always only one game away from another changing incident.

Unless you are blind, it is a forward cheating the referee. You may be blind and avid fan of Man Utd following the game with audio commentary. In that case, please accept my apologies. That could also explain your feelings towards Rafael.

 

[MTR]

His worst performance this season.

 

[Shamwow]

Unless you are blind, it is a forward cheating the referee. You may be blind and avid fan of Man Utd following the game with audio commentary. In that case, please accept my apologies. That could also explain your feelings towards Rafael.

Do blind and rafael not like each other or something?

 

[fishfingers15]

Do blind and rafael not like each other or something?

I'm told it's just plain jealousy from Rafael because of Danny's looks.

 

[PvsNP]

Well, his cameo showed us why LvG hasn't started him yet. He is clearly not fit yet.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

Will take a few weeks to get back. Valencia has been great but doesn't make players around him better like Rafael.

 

[Shimo]

10 minutes and we were playing barely in 2nd gear and Newcastle couldn't be asked and saying he is not fit enough? Yeah clearly showed why LVG hasn't played him - nothing to do with that we are playing with wingbacks at all.

 

[Mani]

There seems to be some kind of change in his run ups, may be he had been trained in such a way to avoid future injuries.
Its just little cameo so I don't bother with his performance.

 

[Litch]

Unless you are blind, it is a forward cheating the referee. You may be blind and avid fan of Man Utd following the game with audio commentary. In that case, please accept my apologies. That could also explain your feelings towards Rafael.

Blind? Bored more like. Like I said, it was clear he reacted badly when he was pushed of the ball and like Van Gaal said: “For the first penalty it is always the referee [who you talk about] but you don’t have to do that as a player. You know you are in the penalty area and you allow the referee to whistle if you make a challenge......"

Not saying he's not a good player, but when he has one of his 'moments' always feel like they are turning points in games. Maybe he's just unlucky.....

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Blind? Bored more like. Like I said, it was clear he reacted badly when he was pushed of the ball and like Van Gaal said: “For the first penalty it is always the referee [who you talk about] but you don’t have to do that as a player. You know you are in the penalty area and you allow the referee to whistle if you make a challenge......"

Did he even go so far as to make a challenge?

The referee made two bad decisions in quick succession [although you might argue that he was conned for the penalty], and Rafael was on the receiving end for both.

 

[Acole9]

Good to see him come on.

 

[Raw]

Looked really poor today. Hopefully it's down to match fitness.

 

[charleysurf]

Looks like he'll need to replace Valencia for a while. He'll need to shape up quickly. Looked really dodgy when he came on.

 

[LLMU]

Not his usual self. Could be down to lack of sharpness

 

[Get In Scholesy]

Love him but he was poor today in fairness. I just don't think he is suited to a fullback roll to be honest, either that or he lacked fitness.

Hope he gets back to his best asap, he's a vital player for us when fit.

 

[Garethw]

A new RB just became a priority during the January transfer window. Rafael is a liability.

 

[Kag]

A new RB just became a priority during the January transfer window. Rafael is a liability.

It was a priority anyway. The final remark is simply nonsense.

 

[Varun]

Looked really poor today. Hopefully it's down to match fitness.

Yeah, a split second late at everything. That'l come with match time.

 

[Cutch]

An awful wingback. Lost without anyone playing ahead of him and his crossing is pathetic.

 

[Varun]

A new RB just became a priority during the January transfer window. Rafael is a liability.

Utter nonsense.

 

[Adam-Utd]

He was rusty after a long lay off and thrown on at HT into a very scrappy game. I think we can give him some slack for that.

 

[Ainu]

He was shit because he lacked match fitness today. Which would be okay if he wasn't injured a lot. We know how good he can be when he has a sustained run, but the fact that rarely happens makes him a liability. I love the guy but we simply can't trust him. We need a reliable right back, it's as much a priority as any other position.

 

[Rado_N]

The caf in kneejerk overreactions shocker.

 

[Truedevil]

LvG looked angry after one of his feck ups. And it's obvious he's not a wingback.

 

[Varun]

An awful wingback. Lost without anyone playing ahead of him and his crossing is pathetic.

He's a good crosser. Looked rusty which is to be expected.

 

[Varun]

LvG looked angry after one of his feck ups. And it's obvious he's not a right back.

Wing back?