But it was the Yoevil game where Rafael started as RB, we actually played 3-5-2 that time, he did his fructure and finished half, it gave McNair a chance to impress, it was never he would start ahead of him as RB, he did well there in his next game and Rafael not fully fit after injury was played in reserves to gain fitness and that's the game you're referring to. That earned him the praise and start I was talking about. The next game against Burnley he was average but deserved to start above anybodydue to the Cambridge game and the next game he played Swansea and subbed of after half time I believe after really poor showing definitely replaced by Valencia who then picked up a good form. The point is Rafael after the injury wasn't fit to start any of the games, he underwent surgery and wasn't rushed back when McNair was on form and deserved to start at least one and a half of the game. It was an experiment for Van Gaal. Valencia since that cemented his position and Van Gaal didn't want to change the back four necessarily.Im not even talking about Yeovil. Im talking about Cambridge United 3-0 at OT with McNair at RB for 90 mins and being voted MOTM. He also played in the league for 90 mins against Burnley when we won 3-1 at OT. His little RB run came to end with a halftime sub away to Swansea when we lost 2-1. All that time Rafael was fit and playing for the U-21s. I dont even think McNair is a RB, he should be developed as a CB or his original position as a CM IMO.
Let alone that Rafael had a similar season to Shaw who didn't paly due to injury much and spent most of the time playing as LWB which he isn't suited to or just as leftback with no winger ahead of him. Suddenly he plays as LB and and it's completely different story..