[Glanville95]

Didn't know 2 were a lot and those 2 are among the few good right-backs I counted, apart from that there aren't many out there. Also like @Nick 0208 Ldn said getting rid of Rafael wouldn't do any good for our squad depth.

I noted two in the Premier League. There are more abroad aswell. I agree that it wouldn't do our squad depth any good and I'm not advocating it, but it's not something that would overly concern me if we were to sell Rafael opposed to Valencia. The latter makes just as many appearances at rightback as Rafael does anyway, even if they aren't on the same level when Rafael is at his peak.

We laugh at how decimated our defence always is, but the rightback we inevitably sign will be bought under the impression they will be a mainstay of the first team and that's what you would expect from Coleman, Clyne, Darmian, etc.

 

[m1y2]

Valencia got his place just because Rafa was injured when he came back we played 3-5-2 which doesn't suit him that much.. I don't think he will be sold. He has the future here but needs to get his fittnes back and with his hardworking approach and more talent will get over Valencia once again

 

[Ringo 07]

Valencia got his place just because Rafa was injured when he came back we played 3-5-2 which doesn't suit him that much.. I don't think he will be sold. He has the future here but needs to get his fittnes back and with his hardworking approach and more talent will get over Valencia once again

He definitely will be sold in the summer. He's an outstanding attacker but he is a headless chicken as a defender. There's no way he will still be here after the summer

 

[limerickcitykid]

If he isn't fit enough to be first choice then he won't be fit enough to be relied on as a back-up either. He is a good player but if he is going to be injured over half the time then there is no point having him.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

If he isn't fit enough to be first choice then he won't be fit enough to be relied on as a back-up either. He is a good player but if he is going to be injured over half the time then there is no point having him.

I believe we've been here before. This has a good deal more to do with Van Gaal's personal preference than fitness. Valencia did have the added advantage of being the incumbent in a 3-5-2, however a couple of minor injuries wouldn't appear to be sufficient explanation for just seven starts in all competitions. There was no mention of any problem on Friday and was thought fit enough for the bench last week if i recall.

To Rafael it amounts to the same of course, without a change in circumstances there is a decision awaiting both club and player in the summer.

 

[soapythecat]

Would be happy to see him sold. Can't remember the last time he was fit long enough to rediscover his form from years ago.
We can't rely on him so why not get rid. Been sat on the bench wouldn't do him any favours.
Plenty of better RB out there who can play more games a season. Valencia can cover if needed.

 

[LR7]

I miss him. I hope he isn't being frozen out.

 

[Sam]

He wont be here next season.

 

[Señor]

Good player when he's fit but Clyne or Coleman would be an upgrade on him, tbh. Clyne also will only have 12 months left on his contract this summer.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

I would hate to see Rafael get fit and start performing for another club. Plus I do not think Coleman or Clyne have ever performed as well as Rafael did in the 12-13 season.

 

[Kostur]

I would hate to see Rafael get fit and start performing for another club. Plus I do not think Coleman or Clyne have ever performed as well as Rafael did in the 12-13 season.

Well you don't have to worry then.

 

[arthurka]

Same could be said about Herrera... Not getting much time under LVG.. No one knows what that dutch maniac is doing.

 

[Pexbo]

He wont be here next season.

Yeah I agree with that. Love the feisty little fella but his time is up. I think we will sign a quality rightback and Valencia will survive the cull again and stay as backup.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Criminal how he is being overlooked.

 

[Pexbo]

Criminal how he is being overlooked.

I love him as much as anyone and pretty much abhor Valencia but the fact is that Valencia is always fit to play and provides selection consistency. He's not doing a bad job truth be told. I think Rafael's days are very much numbered.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

Same could be said about Herrera... Not getting much time under LVG.. No one knows what that dutch maniac is doing.

Regrettably, Van Gaal's policies seem to diminish the ingenuity that might otherwise be brought to bear, either through the demotion of players or his tactics.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

I love him as much as anyone and pretty much abhor Valencia but the fact is that Valencia is always fit to play and provides selection consistency. He's not doing a bad job truth be told. I think Rafael's days are very much numbered.

It's not a dig at Valencia, I'm one of his few fans but when Rafael is fit, he is better than Valencia, there is no hiding from that so unless there is recruitment in that area, we should play our best available option there, which is Rafael.

 

[Bwuk]

Not fussy. He's rash as. Good going forward but you just don't trust him at the back. He seems like a good footballer though, I reckon if he'd had more time at United in the reserves he's of ended up possibly as a midfielder.

I wonder where he'll go in the summer. Can't see many PL teams taking him, possibly off to Spain?

 

[POF]

If he was available for selection today it is really worrying for his future. Paddy McNair was selected as the reserve right back ahead of him. Much like Van Gaal failing to use Herrera and picking Jones over Smalling his reluctance to use Rafael is extremely odd.

 

[ZDwyr]

If he was available for selection today it is really worrying for his future. Paddy McNair was selected as the reserve right back ahead of him. Much like Van Gaal failing to use Herrera and picking Jones over Smalling his reluctance to use Rafael is extremely odd.

Yeah that was just odd. He must be injured then? Because McNair as a RB is clearly nowhere near Rafael's level.

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

Injured again or not injured. Valencia has a bigger chance to be our RB back-up next season than Rafael.

 

[The White Pele]

LVG said post-match that he does not consider Valencia to be a right full-back but selected him on this occasion because we were at home and he wanted to attack. He said Valencia and Young work better in a 3-5-2 but Shaw, for example, works better in a conventional back four.

Rafael is probably the only player in the squad who meets Van Gaal's definition of being a right-back so hopefully has a chance to get games, although Valencia is clearly valued and has given us continuity so it might be difficult.

 

[khoazany]

Yeah that was just odd. He must be injured then? Because McNair as a RB is clearly nowhere near Rafael's level.

McNair can cover CB,RB as well as DM.

 

[ZDwyr]

McNair can cover CB,RB as well as DM.

Arguable. He hasn't shown enough to convince me he should be covering anywhere but CB, and even then I would try to avoid that because he hasn't looked overly impressive IMO.

 

[Pexbo]

I think he's clearly gone if we can find a buyer.

If he's not getting games because he's not being picked - he's a goner.
If he's not getting games because he is always injured - he's clearly a goner.

Either way he's not playing and we need a right back and a backup who is available.

 

[POF]

Yeah that was just odd. He must be injured then? Because McNair as a RB is clearly nowhere near Rafael's level.

I hope so. That fractured cheekbone is unlikely to have healed yet. Hopefully that is why he is out.

But, if Rafa is fit and if Van Gaal has decided Rafa is out in the summer and McNair will stay then at least he is building for the future. I criticised Moyes for not doing so last season so I shouldn't criticise Van Gaal this season . . . . . but I will because it's a stupid decision!

 

[POF]

McNair can cover CB,RB as well as DM.

Smalling and Fellaini were on the bench. That was enough cover for centre back and holding midfield to have at least one specialist full back on the bench.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

I'm distraught at the idea of Rafael leaving the club.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

LVG said post-match that he does not consider Valencia to be a right full-back but selected him on this occasion because we were at home and he wanted to attack. He said Valencia and Young work better in a 3-5-2 but Shaw, for example, works better in a conventional back four.

Are we to judge him by his words or his deeds? Not only do they fail to adequately explain Rafael's absence from the match-day squad, but moreover can only renew concerns about the 3-5-2. With Young's return fast approaching the pieces would fall nicely into place for Louis.

 

[Sam]

Apparently behind Mcnair in the pecking order as well now

 

[Kazi]

Was obviously not going to be in the squad after he played yesterday. Hopefully he's back on Sunday.

 

[Bojan11]

Is he injured?

 

[DWelbz19]

Apparently behind Mcnair in the pecking order as well now

Played for the U21s just last night.

 

[bosnian_red]

Is he injured?

He was injured, said he had to weak a mask because of the broken cheekbone but it would make it hard to see. Played in the reserves yesterday so should be back soon.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

He was injured, said he had to weak a mask because of the broken cheekbone but it would make it hard to see. Played in the reserves yesterday so should be back soon.

A detail which didn't prevent his inclusion on the bench in the earlier fixture.

 

[KingMinger22]

We need a proper right back. Badly.

 

[Spielmacher]

We need a proper right back. Badly.

Whom would you suggest?

 

[Eric'sCollar]

He would be like a new signing

 

[DanNistelrooy]

I'm distraught at the idea of Rafael leaving the club.

Completely agree. Probably my favourite player when he's fit and in form, we are undoubtedly a better side with him on the right. Really hope this is a case of easing him back from injury but I am worried.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

To be fair to Van Gaal he can't make decisisons based on form from previous seasons. Rafael has not been good this season, so you can see why he's not rated by the manager.

That said, I thought he was good for the reserves the other night so hopefully that's being fed back and might influence his next team selection. Although Fulham's opener did come from a winger getting to the byline down his flank. Which will have blotted his copybook.