Recently we wrote about how Manchester United have 6 players who would be guaranteed a place on Louis van Gaal’s team sheet when they are match fit. That list read De Gea, Di Maria, Falcao, Rooney, RvP and Shaw. The last name on the list drew much interest as many of you thought that it was way too early to put the young Englishman on the list.
But while he conceded a penalty against Everton on Sunday we believe that his overall performance illustrated that he’s a guaranteed starter when fit. He generally made the defence more solid and the attack more incisive.
And while Manchester United are still very much a work in progress, we are ready to add another name to that list, as the team slowly moves towards a ‘settled’ status.
Rafael da Silva put in another superb performance on Sunday to prove once more that, when he gets a decent run of games, he can be as good as any right back in the league. There is still that lingering sense that he could have a moment of madness in him. His last came as recently as the Leicester game.
But Louis van Gaal would have been the first to point out to him that top defenders are dependable defenders. There is absolutely no need to rush into a dangerous tackle when a opponent is in a cul-de-sac with his back to goal.
His dynamism going forward was one of the highlights of the Manchester United display against Everton. Although most agree that Manchester United are now playing a 4-4-2 with a diamond in the midfield, the bombing on of Shaw and Rafael, twinned with the deepness of Blind, means that Manchester United are still observing some aspects of the 3-5-2.
Di Maria is regularly playing more narrow, which allows the overlap from Shaw, who will get forward with increasing regularity as his United career develops.
So while Manchester United still aren’t a 90 minute team – they played well for about 50 minutes yesterday – they are going in the right direction and Louis van Gaal has another first choice player cementing his place in the team. That man is Rafa and that makes 7 untouchables.
Manchester United fans: is Rafa still a risk?
jay
Oct 7, 2014 at 10:21 pm
rafael is more of a guaranteed starter than shaw. i know shaw hasnt played much but rafael has been different level. shaw has done nothing to deserve to be on that list
jac
Oct 8, 2014 at 8:38 am
Shaw is still a schoolboy and vastly overrated.
Daddykin
Oct 8, 2014 at 10:02 am
It is much too soon to suggest Shaw is an automatic selection. He was responsible for the penalty on Saturday (by not getting back into the back line when Rojo covered his left back position for him), and also for the goal (by loosing sight of Naismith).
That said he should become a quality left back with the coaching he will receive at Old Trafford, if he pays attention.
Realist
Oct 8, 2014 at 7:02 pm
Well said!
cyrus m. wah
Oct 8, 2014 at 11:03 am
I think Rafael should be included into the best six(6) thenLuke Shaw who has not played any competitive match under Louis Van Gal reign so far this season. In short, Rafael Da Silva is a senior player to Shaw whohas shown case his worth for such a club like manchester united with such a great history.
J
Oct 8, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Where is Herrera in this list?
I reckon only De Gea, Di Maria and Herrera are guaranteed starters. The rest can be rotated with others.
Realist
Oct 8, 2014 at 7:03 pm
Agreed, plus DDG, and soon to be Falcao if he remains fit.
Ritzy
Oct 8, 2014 at 3:57 pm
I think shaw is a better player but when considering that you have to include Herrera too. After Di maria I guess his one of the best midfielder we have in Manchester united midfield despite being ruled out against Everton game everyone feels his absent for not being in the pitch. Herrera should be included in the list of untouchable Manchester united player
YAKUB YAHAYA
Oct 8, 2014 at 4:23 pm
HOW ON EARTH DID BLIND AND HERERA MISS THIS SELECTION?I THINK IT IS STILL TOO EARLY EVEN PER THIS SELECTION ROJO IS MISSING.QUITE INTERESTING?
Yohannes
Oct 8, 2014 at 6:29 pm
How can u select shaw and leave herera and blind ?
micky
Oct 8, 2014 at 7:48 pm
blind and demaria are key starter,maria pentrate denfender, y blind is a commander.
me
Oct 8, 2014 at 9:06 pm
Herrera omitted, this is a big Joke. That guy I so vibrant. I love him so much #BabyFacedNiccur. Gonna be a top top player for Man United. Even got into the European team of the month of september along messi & ronaldo.
Rosco
Oct 9, 2014 at 7:08 am
Make it 8 by including Herrera!
DUKU ,JUBA SOUTH SUDAN
Oct 9, 2014 at 8:52 am
Without Herera, blind ,rafeal and falcao I think its not true we need to reverse it .
Jotham watila
Oct 9, 2014 at 11:01 am
I think shaw is not suposd to b in tht list bcz he has nt clickd so far.beter replace him with Herera
Robert
Oct 9, 2014 at 3:25 pm
Without herera and blind the list is not complete. Luck shaw is not mature enough to handle pressure at the back yet.