[MDFC Manager]

I think what i like most about his performance today was the energy and enthusiasm in the first 20 mins.
When the ball came to him he was speeding the play up with a good early pass or a good pass into feet and the run to give a good option for the 1-2.
A lot of the other players were looking a bit sluggish and nervy for that first 20 mins but he was just really calm, confident and used the ball brilliantly.
Kind of set the tempo of the game for me.

Agreed. I thought he set the tempo for us initially too.

 

[Red_Aaron]

was brilliant i thought, so threatening and with Blind anchoring midfield he'll get plenty more licence to go forward knowing he'll be covered
our play noticeably dropped when he went off, I love Tony V for what he was but he looked alien by comparison
now just stay fit Rafa ffs!

 

[RedOldBoy]

If only he can stay injury free.

Funnily enough, I think that Rafael would make a great right-wing back as well as being a good right-back.

We really need to find decent cover for him on the right though and that excludes Smalling or Jones or even Valencia.

 

[Nickosaur]

So glad that he had a good game. Just needs to get his fitness up so he can play 90 minutes and needs to stay injury free.

Our best RB is back.

Our only right back.

 

[GloryHunter07]

Looked a little rusty - flew in a few times unnecessarily. Still i thought he was good and will provide width down the right.

I love how he gets so physical, and that he has better technique and vision going forward than Valencia.

 

[finneh]

Enthusiasm and energy.

Lovely thing was, while these features normally makes him stand out like a sore thumb, today he was one of a whole bunch of tenacious bastards (Di Maria, Herrera, Rojo, Blind).

Great energy on display throughout the side which we've lacked.

Spot on.

To be honest I thought the criticism of him last year was pretty harsh. In a team that was absolutely dire he still added energy and tenacity and wasn't that bad given the fact that he was in and out due to injury. If he stays fit he'll make a huge difference to us.

 

[Rozay]

Was outstanding yesterday. Goes without saying that we need him to develop Evra levels of fitness, as he will need to play every game like Evra did.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Was outstanding yesterday. Goes without saying that we need him to develop Evra levels of fitness, as he will need to play every game like Evra did.

Luckily we don't have too many games this season and he'll have plenty of time to recuperate.

 

[Maroo]

Whenever Rafael is in the team, it gives such positive vibes.. I feel good about Man United. He has that effect!

 

[LR7]

Rafael: I want to stay here forever
Reds right-back Rafael returned to the starting line-up on Sunday for the first time since March – a welcome return for one of Manchester United's most popular players...

You've been in Manchester United's first team for six years now. You're classified as being homegrown – do you feel like that?
To be honest, definitely. I came here at 15-years-old so I have to say that I feel at home here. I feel this is my home and I would have to say yes.

You also play like you love the club. Why is United special to you?
Because of everything. The club picked me up and helped me ever since I arrived here – everyone, and I would say every single person. I can never say enough about this club. It is one of the best clubs in the world, if not the best in the world.

You're obviously not from Manchester but do you feel Mancunian now?
I live here so I feel it a little bit. I know everywhere in the city and know a lot of people here.

After six years here and following the departures of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, you’re now one of the longest-serving defenders at the club…
Jonny [Evans] as well, of course. I am glad but sad because a lot of friends have left. I am glad I am still here. I want to keep going and stay here forever, if possible. It depends on me to play well, I need to play well. I just want to stay here.

Do you help the new players settle in by referring back to your arrival here?
Of course. When I first came here, I saw how a lot of players helped me – Giggsy, Scholesy and Gary Neville, even though he played in my position, he helped me a lot because he was one of the best right-backs in the world. I want to do the same when I see some young players come in. Sometimes it's difficult so my job is to try to help them.

You've mastered the language – your English is brilliant…
My English is not brilliant. It’s OK now. I can speak and you can understand what I’m saying. I couldn’t speak any English when I first arrived. Nothing. Maybe just ‘hi’ [waves] and that was it. Now I feel I can speak, maybe not properly, but how I would like to speak. Before, I saw some players arriving, foreign players, and they just cannot understand anything and I was exactly the same. Sometimes, I still want to say: ‘What are they saying?’ It’s so hard and I try to help them because I know how difficult that is.

What about your relationship with the fans? The supporters seem to appreciate your commitment and passion for United…
Yes, I have a good relationship with the fans because they are just so passionate. The fans here at Manchester United are simply so good at every game, even if we lose, they are still singing and just don’t stop singing and making noise! It makes you get emotional, you know. I love these fans.

Your enthusiasm and energy are what the fans expect of a United player – is that style of play just part of your character?
This is me. I just really love the game and I really love to win.

Were you like this as a player even before you came to Old Trafford?
I remember I used to play football with my brother Fabio on the pitch and we just used to fight each other to win the match. It was only me versus him and always like that.

Do you see yourself as part of a new era now with the new manager?
Definitely, I want to win the league again and I want us to get the winning way back. Then everything will be like it’s always been at this club.
from manutd.com

Seriously, how can you not love Rafa? He's so adorable and genuinely loves it here. I just hope he has another season like 2012/13 when he was fit and excellent throughout.

 

[united_99]

Great interview and he actually means every word of it! South Americans are great talkers (and footballers of course) more often than not!

 

[DWelbz19]

Really pray he stays fit the whole season.

 

[Globule]

I love Rafa. Seeing him on the team sheet calms me, even though he can still be rash.

 

[FromTheBench]

Rafael: Di Maria dazzles in training

In an exclusive interview with ManUtd.com, Rafael discusses his training highlights, including Angel Di Maria's ability to impress his team-mates and former star Paul Scholes' penchant for spectacular practice strikes...

Who was the best player in training today and why?

Today, I would have to say it has been Angel Di Maria. We played 10 against 8 and he scored a great goal and he was really good.

Who scored the best goal you have ever seen in training?

This is an easy question! Paul Scholes. He scored maybe 20 goals that were, you know, wow! Maybe more than 20 like that in training. Ryan Giggs also scored so many brilliant goals in training.

Which is the best goal you have ever scored in training?

I have scored many as well, to be honest. There are loads, I can’t remember! They were good ones though!

Who is the most competitive player in training?

I would say Chris Smalling - he is very good and very competitive in training.

So if you were picking your ideal five-a-side team, would you and Chris be in it?

Yes, I would put Chris and I together at the back with Antonio [Valencia], Wazza [Wayne Rooney] and Ander Herrera.

Which is your favourite part of training?

I like to play five against five or four against five, that type of game. I love it!


http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...maria-in-training-talk-exclusive-feature.aspx

More from the interview.



Such a likeable chap and hopefully future captain too.

 

[krazyrobus]

5 aside with Valencia, what's he going to contribute?

 

[Devil may care]

Good interview, is there any footage of Raf speaking English?

 

[Scorpy]

I hope he stays here forever as well. There were rumours in the summer that he'd be one of the players leaving the club and I was dreading the thought of his departure. Really glad he stayed and let's hope he stays free of injuries so we don't have to suffer the pain of witnessing Valencia trying to make at attacking impact.

His attitute is top class, it goes without saying really.

 

[SirAF]

I hope he stays here forever as well. There were rumours in the summer that he'd be one of the players leaving the club and I was dreading the thought of his departure. Really glad he stayed and let's hope he stays free of injuries so we don't have to suffer the pain of witnessing Valencia trying to make at attacking impact.

His attitute is top class, it goes without saying really.

I agree, love the lad. I've been harsh on him before, but his presence in the side really make a difference. Hope he can stay fit for the whole season now!

 

[Godfather]

He is a top fella. Great full back at that. Just stay fit will you.

 

[footballgirl07]

Great read and wears his heart on his sleeve. Makes such a difference to our play when he is on.

 

[ZDwyr]

Good read! Not sure about Valencia in a five-a-side but I'll forgive you Rafa

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Would be great to see him play his career out here.

 

[Dylan94]

I think Rafael would make a great captain if he can stay fit. He's got that fire, passion, and emotion on tbe pitch that I just don't see from Rooney. How is his English?

 

[An Irish Red]

I think Rafael would make a great captain if he can stay fit. He's got that fire, passion, and emotion on tbe pitch that I just don't see from Rooney. How is his English?

I wanted him to be made captain instead of Rooney. I'm aware that I'm in the minority there though.

 

[Dylan94]

I wanted him to be made captain instead of Rooney. I'm aware that I'm in the minority there though.

I think we are in the minority but we shouldn't be.

 

[krazyrobus]

Aside from the constant injuries he certainly should make VC ahead of Fletcher.

 

[Walrus]

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/rafael-for-captain.323398/

Ahead of my time!

 

[DWelbz19]

I imagine he picked Valencia because of the fact that he actually worked really well with him in the past, often providing the attacking intent and great overlaps whilst Valencia did, well, nothing. Maybe cover him defensively.

 

[krazyrobus]

I'd love to have followed up on why he selected each player he did. Valencia is the last person i'd chose for a 5 a side, well maybe 2nd last after Fellaini. He also did not chose any of the new contingent, I imagine a team of ADM, AH and Mata + 2 would dominate another other 5 aside the team could muster.

 

[ZDwyr]

Hope he can back-up his good performance from last week. Leicester will be a tough away game and the back four (hopefully a four) will need to be good.

 

[hundred_trillion]

Looking forward to Rafa becoming a key cog this season. I have to say I was worried for him when he didn't start against Galaxy and then got injured. Great to see he's fought his way back into the manager's thinking as he brings a lot to the team on and off the ball.

Good interview, is there any footage of Raf speaking English?

He answered a few fan questions on the Chevrolet FC YouTube channel.


This was almost two years ago, so his English is presumably even better now.

pc

This was relatively recent. Imagine being a pro and having to listen to 'tips' from some snotty 'trick specialist'

 

[Timdbro]

Spoiler

This was relatively recent. Imagine being a pro and having to listen to 'tips' from some snotty 'trick specialist'

I cringed all the way through that one...
Then i watched a few of the other DHL trick challenge videos, and they're all pretty bad; except Fellaini's, he's pretty skilful!

 

[legball]

5 aside with Valencia, what's he going to contribute?

A bit of "steel"

 

[RoadTrip]

This guy basically sums up what I think a United player should be. Would love to see him stay injury free.

 

[Nickosaur]

This guy basically sums up what I think a United player should be. Would love to see him stay injury free.

Oh yes. While I loved seeing the new faces strut their stuff last weekend, it was brilliant too to see Rafael back and looking good.

 

[montpelier]

Does not have sufficient defensive 'nous' to play at full back. Also wonder about his general footy intelligence sometimes.

Very harshly treated by Clattenberk - totally stitched up really. But stuff like that happens to Raf, all the time.

And he does have positive attributes, but there are better RB's all over the place.

 

[MTR]

Made no mistakes all game. Yet he "conceded" a penalty.

 

[Godfather]

Was pretty good I thought tbh. Was never a pen

 

[MTR]

And he does have positive attributes, but there are better RB's all over the place.

Name other than Lahm? He's 2nd best right back in the world.

 

[Americano]

I still worry his temper runs too hot when things start going the other way.