When Ruud Van Nistelrooy left Manchester United to join Real Madrid following a bust-up with Ferguson, it was an acrimonious break-up. The parting of the ways also meant that the three 'R's' of Old Trafford became just two. Unlike the Dutchman, Rooney and Ronaldo stayed and have gone on to greater things.
I don't know about my fellow United supporters, but I for one haven't been so excited about the arrival of a new young star since the Ronaldo donned the Red shirt. I refer to Rafael da Silva. After only a couple of performances for the club I predicted that by the end of the season he will have ousted Gary Neville and Wes Brown, in so doing claiming the right-back slot in Fergie's team.
It's always difficult for young players to make it, with so many big-name established players' coming to play in England. The media do not really help, because they have an annoying habit of burdening young players with labels when likening them to stellar football talents.
Only this week United have been linked to a couple of young Partizan Belgrade stars, one of them has already been dubbed as "little Kaka". Down the years, how many youngsters have been called the next George Best? Isn't it hard enough to make it without this nonsense?
Rafael's arrival at the club was thankfully not accompanied by the burden of expectation, as can often be the case. But in only a short spell with United, the fans and the media alike are talking about the Brazilian in glowing terms. Sky pundit Andy Gray said at the weekend that he can go on to become one of the Premier League's really great fullbacks.
With the very real danger of being labelled as a hypocrite and following Sunday's superb performance in the derby, in which he played with Robinho in his back-pocket, there surely can be no doubt that Rafael da Silva is the third R, or else the new found right-back King of Old Trafford.
Rafael da Silva should not be compared to anyone, past or present, he is a unique talent and one who I hope will go on to have a long and trophy laden career at United.
Showing posts with label Rafael da Silva. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rafael da Silva. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Brazilians set to dislodge United old guard?...
United welcomed club captain Gary Neville back into the first team for the Community Shield curtain raiser on Sunday, it was a fairly comfortable afternoon for Neville & Co in the Reds back four with Portsmouth's new strike force of Crouch and Defoe failing to hit the high notes on what was a pretty forgettable day for Pompey and their fans.
After the Reds collected yet another piece of silverware the player who has sometimes been referred to as the "shop steward" was asked about his expectations for the coming season and his response was quite interesting in that he says he hopes to do a job when called upon.
Wes Brown had arguably his best season to date for United and so he is very much in contention for the right-back slot, but make no mistake going of what we have seen in pre-season, new boy Rafael da Silva could oust both England defenders by the time the of the end of the season comes around.
The same can be said of John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher and maybe Scholes too, because Rodrigo Possebon is another who has shown a great deal of midfield promise in albeit in a limited number of first team appearances, but in just a handful of games the Brazilians have shown enough to suggest that the days of the United old guard could be numbered.
After the Reds collected yet another piece of silverware the player who has sometimes been referred to as the "shop steward" was asked about his expectations for the coming season and his response was quite interesting in that he says he hopes to do a job when called upon.
Wes Brown had arguably his best season to date for United and so he is very much in contention for the right-back slot, but make no mistake going of what we have seen in pre-season, new boy Rafael da Silva could oust both England defenders by the time the of the end of the season comes around.
The same can be said of John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher and maybe Scholes too, because Rodrigo Possebon is another who has shown a great deal of midfield promise in albeit in a limited number of first team appearances, but in just a handful of games the Brazilians have shown enough to suggest that the days of the United old guard could be numbered.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
United look set to play to Samba beat with Brazilians looking good......
Pre-season games can often look like an exercise in going through the motions in preparation for the real thing, and with United failing to sign any big names this summer many supporters will no doubt be slightly frustrated at the club's inability to find a new striker.
It does seem a bit ridiculous that Fergie hasn't been able to get his man thus far given the success of last season and money in the bank. That's the bad news, but the good news is that the Red's lack of activity in the transfer market this summer has given the likes of Fraizer Campbell his chance to show what he can do.
Campbell was outstanding last season for Hull City who wanted to sign him on a permanent basis, and during pre-season with United he's done quite well, he scored a superb goal on Saturday against Espanyol after which Fergie hinted that his future was at Old Trafford.
Last night United took on Peterborough - who have beaten Liverpool this summer, but the Reds ran out two-nil winners courtesy of a first-half own goal and a fabulous second-half strike by substitute Darron Gibson. In truth the scoreline slightly flattered the visitors and it was a decent game to watch especially with United's trio of recently signed Brazilians all impressing.
Rafael da Silva played the full ninety minutes at right-back - this just after local lad Danny Simpson was transferred to Blackburn for a full season on loan. Rafael really did look the part, he's not that big, but the boy can play, he actually looks like a miniature Iván Campo, but he's much quicker than the recently released Bolton player and he likes to get forward.
Attacking right-backs can be defensively suspect; think Glen Johnson at Portsmouth and countless others, but against the Posh, Rafael barely put a foot wrong. Twin brother Fabio da Silva came on at half-time in place of Patrice Evra and he didn't let anyone down, but after the game Ferguson was waxing lyrical about Rafael when hinting that United may well have found a star in the making.
Midway through the second period the Reds other recent Brazilian signing Rodrigo Possebon came on and once again he really looked the part. Rodrigo is a player of real promise, he rarely loses the ball - which he uses well, and he isn't afraid to shoot from distance.
United also have Anderson who is away with Brazil on Olympic duty, this is why Fergie was keen to point out that most of the young lads who have been involved recently will be staying with the club, at least for now at least anyway.
The Red Devils have a tough start to the new campaign, the first nine away games are against the sides who finished in the top nine in the Premier League.
It does seem a bit ridiculous that Fergie hasn't been able to get his man thus far given the success of last season and money in the bank. That's the bad news, but the good news is that the Red's lack of activity in the transfer market this summer has given the likes of Fraizer Campbell his chance to show what he can do.
Campbell was outstanding last season for Hull City who wanted to sign him on a permanent basis, and during pre-season with United he's done quite well, he scored a superb goal on Saturday against Espanyol after which Fergie hinted that his future was at Old Trafford.
Last night United took on Peterborough - who have beaten Liverpool this summer, but the Reds ran out two-nil winners courtesy of a first-half own goal and a fabulous second-half strike by substitute Darron Gibson. In truth the scoreline slightly flattered the visitors and it was a decent game to watch especially with United's trio of recently signed Brazilians all impressing.
Rafael da Silva played the full ninety minutes at right-back - this just after local lad Danny Simpson was transferred to Blackburn for a full season on loan. Rafael really did look the part, he's not that big, but the boy can play, he actually looks like a miniature Iván Campo, but he's much quicker than the recently released Bolton player and he likes to get forward.
Attacking right-backs can be defensively suspect; think Glen Johnson at Portsmouth and countless others, but against the Posh, Rafael barely put a foot wrong. Twin brother Fabio da Silva came on at half-time in place of Patrice Evra and he didn't let anyone down, but after the game Ferguson was waxing lyrical about Rafael when hinting that United may well have found a star in the making.
Midway through the second period the Reds other recent Brazilian signing Rodrigo Possebon came on and once again he really looked the part. Rodrigo is a player of real promise, he rarely loses the ball - which he uses well, and he isn't afraid to shoot from distance.
United also have Anderson who is away with Brazil on Olympic duty, this is why Fergie was keen to point out that most of the young lads who have been involved recently will be staying with the club, at least for now at least anyway.
The Red Devils have a tough start to the new campaign, the first nine away games are against the sides who finished in the top nine in the Premier League.
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