He got hurt on the US tour. I do think we need someone to compete with him and Valencia for that RWB spot. Not a dodgy backup sort but the kind that could start even. I love Raf but the fact that hes injured half the time does not serve him or the club.
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Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 11
- Clean sheets
- 4
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 2
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
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We can't just cross our fingers and hope though that this season will be an injury free one for him, especially given that he's already fecking injured!. Valencia playing in his place is a sub rate solution, let alone having a CB play in his place.
On pure ability one of our best players and one of the best right backs in the league. For the love of god stay fit we need you.
Van Gaal: I have to say with a huge amount of regret that we're letting you go Rafael
Rafael: Wow, really? Are you about sign a new right back?
Van Gaal: No, but i just prefer Ashley Young in your position, no offense
Rafael:
Rafael: Wow, really? Are you about sign a new right back?
Van Gaal: No, but i just prefer Ashley Young in your position, no offense
Rafael:
This will be LVG's first massive cock up if he really does sell Rafael. I personally can't see it though, unless he feels Rafael is not good enough as a wingback but he saw him for what 1 and a half games?.
I hope they have this part wrong.
I hope they have this part wrong.
Won't happen. It's not like we are stocked in that position. He may prefer Valencia as a right wing back for now but we have injuries all too often and what happens it the 3-5-2 becomes ineffective at some point in the season? We'd have to change it up and probably go with a back 4 and he'd be the only choice.
I love him. He's still a bit short of required concentration levels and his injuries are concerning to say the least. But he's one of the last players I'd let go
I'd be really pissed if he is let go.
Anyway, not believing that.
Anyway, not believing that.
Rafael going but Valencia staying would actually be beyond belief. Unbelievable if true.
I'm not necessarily against selling Rafael, but not until we have a replacement who is better than him. We don't at the moment. He should not be sold at the moment. He's only just 24 and he's shown enough to stay another season - it's not like our squad is full and we can't afford the wages.
Is he really going to complain about the balance of our squad then sell our only Right Back after watching him for like a game and a bit?
We'll end up playing a back four at some point and he's our only proper RB. It would be utter madness. Not to mention the fact I like having him around.
I probably wouldn't sell him just yet. I don't think he'll get much game time this season though.
Who will in his position? Valencia? Young? Or do you think we'll be buying Cuadrado?
I think both Valencia and Young are currently ahead of him in the pecking order for right wing-back, all this could change throughout the season but he'd have to remain fit first...
There's no evidence to suggest that they are ahead.
Well yeah they will be when he's injured. Anyway, if his injury issues is that much of a factor then let's sell Evans, Jones, Smalling as well.
He's my favourite player and should be a key part of this squad and one of those we should be building around for the future.
Yes there is, pre-season.
He should be a key player but his injury record is horrendous. We just can't rely on him anymore.
Valencia played 45 minutes of the Galaxy game and Rafael played 45 minutes IIRC.
Then he picked up a Injury.
If he's letting him go, there must be a replacement coming in...
As I said in the other thread I'd be open to selling him for a decent fee. He's far too unreliable in terms of injuries and play. He hasn't matured the way he should've IMO.
He's played 6 seasons with us and has only once made 40 appearances. His next highest tally is 28 and that's mainly been down to injuries.
He's played 6 seasons with us and has only once made 40 appearances. His next highest tally is 28 and that's mainly been down to injuries.
That article is a bunch of shit. He's defensively sound, moreso than both Young and Valencia put together, and he offers more in attack than Valencia and maybe Young...
He definitely will not be sold unless we have a guaranteed replacement lined up.
He definitely will not be sold unless we have a guaranteed replacement lined up.
As usual.
We're not selling Rafael. It would be madness on more than one level.
FFS, he was looking mature and generally very good in SAF's final season and then errm the Moyes era happened.
So did Smalling later as usual.
All our back defensive options except Shaw have issues with injuries.
I'm not fussed if he does go, slowly becoming another Anderson/Nani living off his so called potential
I'm not his biggest fan...but to sell him instead of Valencia would be crazy
Rafael is a popular player among our fans, so I can understand the concern. I've said it before but he is overrated on here, I don't think he'd get much game time for other elite European clubs. His injury record is poor and he is still capable of a brain fart or two. I like him, and would keep him but we should definitely be in the market for an upgrade. If van Gaal feels more comfortable with Valencia and Young at wing-back then so be it, I trust his judgement.
People have short memories man.
Valencia is a big beast who rarely gets injured compared to Rafael. I can see why that would be attractive if Van Gaal wants a tight squad.
But anyway, I don't trust this story. I can't see sales of players like Rafael until replacements are signed.
Yeah but SAF's final season was a bit of an anomaly for Rafael in terms of injuries. Last season was far more indicative of what we've seen in the past from him.
He made 40 appearances in SAF's last season. His next best is 28. For a guy who's been here for 6 years and is generally considered a starting rightback that is really poor.
Hes in our top 5-6 players imo. Would be incredibly stupid to get rid.
Moyes was fecking dinosaur so it was no surprise Rafael was injured more often, he looked like he was getting it together in 2012-13, deserves another year at least if Valencia, Cleverley and Young get another chance.
There's no way Valencia or Young would get picked ahead off a super fit Rafael on the right. Not in a 3-5-2, not in a 4-3-3, just no way.
Clinging to Rafael's great season could be similar to clinging to Valencia's great season...
No it wouldn't Rafael's always generally been good. His issues have been discipline and injuries and in 2012-13 he looked like he had it sorted. The lad can actually play and he's suited for this formation.
Tbf, Rafa hasn't shown such any considerable drop in talent ala Valencia, if anything he's consistently got better. Its just his injury record is so appalling that its gone from being a bit of a worry to a major concern.
Yeah except for the fact Rafael actually knows what he's doing when he's got the ball on his feet and has ten times more potential than Nani or Valencia. Seriously I'm not even gonna read this thread anymore, biggest nonsense ever. And if we somehow sell Rafael... nah there's just no way Van Gaal would be so stupid. Unless PSG or Barca or Real are offering insane money for him and Rafael himself wants out.
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