Well shit happens. De Gea, one of the world's top keepers had a howler today. The main thing is how the team played collectively, which is why Van Gaal isn't likely to start randomly swapping players out to experiment.Did you see that tackle by Valencia in the first half on Delph (I think)? That was a reckless challenge. He does that sort of thing all the time but doesn't get a reputation as being reckless because he is such an emotionless character.
You're kidding right? Even the most die hard Valencia fans will tell you he serious lacks with the final ball, smashing the ball as hard as he can at the nearest defender or playing a 3 yard pass backwards doesn't always cut it unfortunately. I just loath the bolded part as an argument, would you have been saying the same thing about Herrera when Rooney was starting in front of him in midfield? LVG clearly wants to keep consistency in his team until the end of the season hence the starting line up in the last 3/4 games.What nonsense. He's really not "infinitely better" going forward, or else he would be playing. If anything Rafa is randomly reckless at times, which doesn't remotely justify him starting over Valencia, who has done a good job.
Yes he does want to keep consistency, because things are working very well for us right now, which makes this obsession with Rafa "getting a game" all the more nonsensical. The team comes before any one player.You're kidding right? Even the most die hard Valencia fans will tell you he serious lacks with the final ball, smashing the ball as hard as he can at the nearest defender or playing a 3 yard pass backwards doesn't always cut it unfortunately. I just loath the bolded part as an argument, would you have been saying the same thing about Herrera when Rooney was starting in front of him in midfield? LVG clearly wants to keep consistency in his team until the end of the season hence the starting line up in the last 3/4 games.
Agreed on all fronts. I would have done a better job than Valencia today.You're kidding right? Even the most die hard Valencia fans will tell you he serious lacks with the final ball, smashing the ball as hard as he can at the nearest defender or playing a 3 yard pass backwards doesn't always cut it unfortunately. I just loath the bolded part as an argument, would you have been saying the same thing about Herrera when Rooney was starting in front of him in midfield? LVG clearly wants to keep consistency in his team until the end of the season hence the starting line up in the last 3/4 games.
Its not him "getting a game" like some charity, a lot of people genuinely think he's the better player. Its naive to think we still can't improve on what we currently have without bringing in new players, we've still got a lot more growing room within this team. I, like others identify Valencia as the current weak link within the starting XI and feel Rafael will improve us there, its hardly nonsensical.Yes he does want to keep consistency, because things are working very well for us right now, which makes this obsession with Rafa "getting a game" all the more nonsensical. The team comes before any one player.
Van Gaal obviously disagrees with this so why bother with a campaign ? If he wants to bring in a new RB next year all of this will be moot, but for now, the manager rates Valencia as better for the team, as opposed to better individually.Its not him "getting a game" like some charity, a lot of people genuinely think he's the better player. Its naive to think we still can't improve on what we currently have without bringing in new players, we've still got a lot more growing room within this team. I, like others identify Valencia as the current weak link within the starting XI and feel Rafael will improve us there, its hardly nonsensical.
How would Rafael possibly do any worse than Valencia? I cant see how a right back is going to throw off our team's rhythm.Van Gaal obviously disagrees with this so why bother with a campaign ? If he wants to bring in a new RB next year all of this will be moot, but for now, the manager rates Valencia as better for the team, as opposed to better individually.
No you wouldn't.Agreed on all fronts. I would have done a better job than Valencia today.
The only good news is he'll soon be thirty, so even if we insist on keeping him he'll have to retire eventually.
He improves us for 2-3 games, and then gets injured. It's a constant disruption and Valencia is a good player with different qualities that compliment Herrera and Mata, and he is always fit. The most important thing with the defence is to stay fit and build an understanding like they have now.Its not him "getting a game" like some charity, a lot of people genuinely think he's the better player. Its naive to think we still can't improve on what we currently have without bringing in new players, we've still got a lot more growing room within this team. I, like others identify Valencia as the current weak link within the starting XI and feel Rafael will improve us there, its hardly nonsensical.
Valencia hasn't done a bad job and LvG obviously considers him more useful to his formation and tactics than Rafa. Its actually more destablizing to randomly swap out players in a successful formation, which is one thing Van Gaal was criticized for when we were struggling. So why do it now ? The correct answer is, we shouldn't.How would Rafael possibly do any worse than Valencia? I cant see how a right back is going to throw off our team's rythym.
Oh. Thanks for pointing that out.No you wouldn't.
Yeh I don't think even an in form Rafael is worth constantly disrupting our already fragile defence. We're better going with stability.He improves us for 2-3 games, and then gets injured. It's a constant disruption and Valencia is a good player with different qualities that compliment Herrera and Mata, and he is always fit. The most important thing with the defence is to stay fit and build an understanding like they have now.
Come on Raoul, this a forum, its where people come to give their opinions, its hardly a campaign.Van Gaal obviously disagrees with this so why bother with a campaign ? If he wants to bring in a new RB next year all of this will be moot, but for now, the manager rates Valencia as better for the team, as opposed to better individually.
It wasn't meant for you really, just a general thought. Just a bit bizarre that people are so easily willing to fiddle with a successful lineup that has clearly worked for us.Come on Raoul, this a forum, its where people come to give their opinions, its hardly a campaign.
It's not just that... Valencia barely qualifies as a footballer. He's an athlete who looks like he belongs in gymnastics or weightlifting, not a football pitch.Rafael is ten times the player Valencia is going forward. Don't see why that's even a debate.
Ferguson always, always tinkered with his line up regardless of team form.It wasn't meant for you really, just a general thought. Just a bit bizarre that people are so easily willing to fiddle with a successful lineup that has clearly worked for us.
Hasn't worked very well for LvG so far, so why risk it at such a critical point in the season.Ferguson always, always tinkered with his line up regardless of team form.
Well I guess this sums up the extent of your credibility in the football forums.It's not just that... Valencia barely qualifies as a footballer. He's an athlete who looks like he belongs in gymnastics or weightlifting, not a football pitch.
Not always, moreso by the end when the most of our squad was squad players who were all similar in quality so we'd rotate until someone picked up form. We probably went too far with the rotation at times anyways.Ferguson always, always tinkered with his line up regardless of team form.
Credibility? You want to talk about credibility? I'm a Manchester United fan who watches as many matches as I can from the comfort of his couch, and post somewhat regularly on a bloody message board because it interests me. I have ZERO credibility about anything, nevermind Manchester United.Well I guess this sums up the extent of your credibility in the football forums.
Some fan you are - ranting about how one of our players barely qualifies as a footballer and instead belongs in gymnastics.Credibility? You want to talk about credibility? I'm a Manchester United fan who watches as many matches as he can from the comfort of his couch, who posts somewhat regularly on a bloody message board because it interests me. I have ZERO credibility about anything, nevermind Manchester United.
But that's me. I take it you're coming from a far more enlightened perspective, so don't worry about my useless 2p.
I know. Isn't that just the most over the top criticism you've ever heard by a fan (whom it's already been established has no credibility anyway) on an online message board?Some fan you are - ranting about how one of our players barely qualifies as a footballer and instead belongs in gymnastics.
Well it was a bit unwise at a minimum.I know. Isn't that just the most over the top criticism you've ever heard by a fan (whom it's already been established has no credibility anyway) on an online message board?
Perhaps. And this is a waste of my time to be talking trash about a player after we got a good result, I know.Well it was a bit unwise at a minimum.
I agree with this. He's composed with the ball and combines very well with others. Always felt he should score more than he does, maybe it's confidence with him and once he gets one off he'll feel better to start seizing responsibility. If it doesn't work for the first couple of times he seems to drop off and just contend with doing his basic job, which is solid but he certainly is capable of more. Rafael has more urgency about him but defensively he gives the feeling he's always on the edge. Van Gaal talks about making the players think about football, Rafael is instinctive. Coach that out of him and he's half the player, which is why I don't see a future for him.If Valencia had a good final ball he'd be one of the best right backs around really. The guy is a tank physically, always a reliable outlet, links up really well with Mata and Herrera and offers that side of the pitch the physical presence that Fellaini offers on the other side. Can be so frustrating with the little fouls and bad final ball though.
He's quite obviously holding us back though. Just look at how much Blind created on the left compared to Valencia. Valencia put in a lot of work today and made a lot of good runs, but the quality simply isn't there when it really matters. A new right back (seeing as Rafael seemingly won't get another game under LVG) is very much needed.I don't see where all the Valencia hate is coming from. Apparently there are limited things to moan about after a 3-1 win.