His injury issues might have been a factor in him being sold but I suspect that even if he was as durable as Valencia he still wouldn't be getting picked. LVG just doesn't rate him, simple as.
Rafael | Lyon Player
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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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Rafael is always injured. Valencia is a solid RB who is built like a tank, makes a lot of sense moving Rafael along.I would pick Rafael as 2nd Choice RB over Valencia.
Tony's been consistently average for a long time and he's still here. Some players had one or two bad seasons and they all gone . I don't mind him as an backup but still we need better option.
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Biggest liability? That's serious underrating to compensate for the bit of overrating that's usually there.
I would pick Rafael as 2nd Choice RB over Valencia.
Tony's been consistently average for a long time and he's still here
We've signed Darmian.Sad day indeed, I've always rated him very high. It's such a shame that he was constantly getting injured.
So you wouldn't mind him just wasting his career away where he's not wanted? If you're a fan of his you'll wish him the best of luck wherever he goes, but you can't want him rotting at OT.
What?
Valencia is a right back now. That's where he has played under Van Gaal most. Darmian was bought because we needed two right backs and Rafael could not be relied on. He's had like one season injury free out of 5? How the hell are you going to get a consistent defence with someone like that?
I believe if Rafael would be able to get completely match fit and a string of games, be it at the second team, Louis may pick him over Valencia. Shame, since we never saw him that way. He has great potential, but his injuries keep him from performing. With all those injuries Rafael, even though his age, was not able to get enough experience to get the rashness out. If he wouldn't have that much injuries, he would have played RB instead of Valencia. Louis prefers attacking backs, so I cannot imagine Louis didnt give Rafael a fair shot to compete for the RB.
Sad news, I really think he still has something to offer. He got blamed for the mistakes at the start of the season and LVG never trusted him.
Fecking injuries. He was brilliant against any of the speed merchants you put him against.
Sorry but for me this is just further judicious pruning of the squad by LVG. A good player on his day whose enthusiasm seems to blind people to his defensive inadequacies. Throw in a worsening injury record and you've got a well deserved P45 for me.
This week will be even more epic if we get confirmation that Jonny "there's nothing on!" Evans gets his marching orders and hopefully in the direction of Arsenal
This week will be even more epic if we get confirmation that Jonny "there's nothing on!" Evans gets his marching orders and hopefully in the direction of Arsenal
I've never rated Rafael. Always thought his hot-head was a liability defensively. But good luck to him.
My favourite United player in the last few years of the Ferguson era.
Was Talking about backup RB
. It's too early to tell but I don't think Louis signed Darmian just to warm the bench.With Darmian, Rafael and like you claim Valencia to be a legit defender ? I can say it's quite good looking formation with quality and depth.
If Varela will come good which I wish him that especially after how Zidane was speaking of him then I will start think what to do with Rafa.
It's LVG's decision anyway but I just don't see a big need to sell him now especially with that one of possibilities that Varela may not make it here at all but we're gonna find about that sooner or later.
I am pretty sure that Darmian will be an upgrade on him.
Maybe Fenerbahce are in need for a RB as well? Or have Torino purchased a replacement for Darmian?
Maybe Fenerbahce are in need for a RB as well? Or have Torino purchased a replacement for Darmian?
Prefer to have Valencia as back up to Darmian. Rafa' too is rash to play for RB a club like United. I did love his gutsy performances but this is the right move for both club & player. Good luck to him.
You really don't think Valencia's good enough to be a back up player? Look at the players that were cover for teams that finished ahead of us last season:Was Talking about backup RB
Chelsea: Felipe Luis
City: Kolarov and Sagna
Arsenal: Chambers and Monreal
Not a huge difference in quality, in fact I'd Valencia over some of them.
I got where you were going, just piling on, and pointing out that one of the guys most of the forum is hard for is probably the biggest walking red card in Europe.
Once I said, he will be better than G. Neville someday. Maybe he would but it makes absolute no sense to keep him. For both parties. His injury record is terrible. I really loved him for his passion on the pitch and commitment for the club. But it's the right decision.
It's a shame you missed his United career and had to read Goal.com's opinion on him. He's a good player who would easily be a first team player if he could avoid injuries.
Plenty of ability and potential but far to physically fragile. A pity, but we need defenders that are fit and available for selection, not tripping over each other in the physio's room.
Are people actually surprised that he's off? Has this not been obvious for a long time now?
This one hurts. We watched him grow up in a red shirt. From his preseason debut against Juventus where you thought we had something, to watching him cry his eyes out when he got sent off against Bayern and then him turning into a very good player and his altercation with Tevez that showed a passion for Manchester United that not every player has. I'm sad to see him go and he's one that I truthfully wish nothing but the best for in his future.
On the other hand, although I wish we could keep him and play him, I do understand the decision by the club to move on. Rafael, like Nani, have proven that they can be good players but after so many years and them not being reliable it makes sense to move on.
On the other hand, although I wish we could keep him and play him, I do understand the decision by the club to move on. Rafael, like Nani, have proven that they can be good players but after so many years and them not being reliable it makes sense to move on.
Ah no worries fair enough, and i sort of agree on Ramos.
Much better how? Have you watched Darmian through out his career to make such a claim? Im not saying I have, but look at their numbers. Rafael has played 169 senior career games with 5 goals. Darmian has played 195 with 7 goals. Rafael has played 11 more European games than Darmian but thats no surprise considering he played for United. Darmian still has 3 goals in Europe and Rafael had none.
Darmian is also first choice RB for Italy and represented them at the World cup in 2014, playing every minute of every game. Rafael's only senior tournament for Brazil was the 2012 London Olympics. Darmian won the Pallone Azzurro for being Italy's best national team player in 2014 and he was part of the Serie A team of the year in 2013/14. Rafael has won more medals obviously but Darmian has proved himself more individually. Darmian is only 7 months older than Rafael
Shame, but for the best.
Could've developed into something really special if not for injuries. A proper try-er who always gave us his all.
Could've developed into something really special if not for injuries. A proper try-er who always gave us his all.
So we should keep players on the basis that they want to be at OT first and foremost, never mind if they're injury prone or don't fit in with the manager's tactics. Lets just sell our most dependable player (Valencia) who will easily give us 35 plus games a season and keep a sicknote who'll struggle to even reach double figures. Makes sense
Sorry but I've seen enough of his shitty crosses, being a RB doesn't hide the fact that he's clueless in attacking nowadays.
If anything, Valencia and Evans should be sold this summer but that's just my opinion. It's up Loius but whatever, not like it bothers me that much, you don't need 20 quality players to compete the league. Also Ed's done great this summer, maybe one more CB and we'll be more than ready for the next season.
That some are only Chambers and Monreal maybe. Might be comparable to Kolarov but Sagna and Felipe Luis are better than him.
I've be never rated him tbh, he was a complete liability defensively and far too injury prone.
Good luck to him though wherever he ends up though.
Good luck to him though wherever he ends up though.
Injury free, he had the talent and ability to be one of the best in the world in his position. I wouldn't have traded him for any RB around just a couple of seasons ago. Was completely frozen out by LVG from the looks of things.
Shame for him, one of my favourite players at the club, but his injury record is truly shocking, and most importantly, the manger just doesn't like him it would seem.
I suspect for VG the problem is discipline and sticking to a specific plan, and I don't think he will ever change in that regard. Lived and breathed the club, but you have to trust the manager to get the squad he wants, so I'll wish him all the best, and hope he gets a couple of injury free years and manages to reach his potential.
I suspect for VG the problem is discipline and sticking to a specific plan, and I don't think he will ever change in that regard. Lived and breathed the club, but you have to trust the manager to get the squad he wants, so I'll wish him all the best, and hope he gets a couple of injury free years and manages to reach his potential.
Likeable guy but not good enough or reliable enough to nail down a first team spot. Correct decision to let him move on I'd say.
Amen.
Plays with all his heart and love him to bits, but this is the right move for both parties. Makes no sense having a backup who is going to be an injury concern. And as if his career hasn't stalled enough due to injuries, at 25 he should be playing as much football he can whenever he's fit. He won't find that here anymore.
Good player, but never fit, unfortunately. Think it's the right decision. Definitely be missed, though. He's one of those players that wears their heart on their sleeves.
will always remember his fierce commitment and loved his style of play.
But like others say you can't only have him available for half the season.
Main memory unfortunately is that sending off v Bayern.
We were smashing them, and he gives a stupid foul miles from goal, gets sent off, and we let them back in.
We'd have definitely won that semi final, meaning 50-50 chance in the final.
Regrets...we've had a few,
But like others say you can't only have him available for half the season.
Main memory unfortunately is that sending off v Bayern.
We were smashing them, and he gives a stupid foul miles from goal, gets sent off, and we let them back in.
We'd have definitely won that semi final, meaning 50-50 chance in the final.
Regrets...we've had a few,
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