Aug 24
Two Reasons Why United Aren’t Looking for Fullbacks
In the summer of 2008 two fullbacks will be headed to Old Trafford from Fluminese. Of course, both of them are Brazilian. One plays at right back and the other, on the left. Close observers of United would have realized by now that we are talking about Fabio and Rafael.
They are identical twins and will be 18 when they arrive at OT next year. There is a good chance that they are the real reasons behind United not aggressively pursuing long term replacements for Gary Neville. Both are right now playing for the Brazil U-17 team in the U-17 World Cup in South Korea. FIFA.com runs an interview with the identical twins, who are really hard to tell apart.
Fabio is touted to be the more promising of the two – he also is the captain of the side. The interview is pretty good and also goes to show how attractive OT is now for Brazilians due to the already strong Portuguese speaking presence there.
The U-17 World cup is in full swing and Fabio has scored three goals in two games. Brazil thrashed New Zealand and Korea 7-0 and 6-0 respectively. To see the twins in action I found only clips from the New Zealand game, go ahead and click here to go to the FIFA website for the highlights of the NZ game. I know it’s only New Zealand, but they remind me of Daniel Alves when running all over the park.
Oh well, they still have a long way to go, but they also sure look promising.
Related items from Red Rants:
- 5 reasons why Tevez needs Manchester United
- Man Utd 2010/11 Season Fixtures Announced
- Manchester United don’t need Barton, can’t have Richards
- United On The Brink Of Greatness, Again
- Perez would ‘welcome’ Ronaldo — that’ll be £70m, thank you.
Tags: Manchester United News · Manchester United Players
Opti (542)
Stephen (500)
RedDevilEddy (462)
Craig Mc (349)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
Thanks red ranter!!
Been looking for information and vidoes of these guys for a long time!! U make a good point, but i dont think simpson, bardsley, pique, evans and cathcart are not bad either. A defence is looking good for the future!
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good chaps,the new phil,and garry.i like their attitude too
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I am sure they are promising but i seem to remember Evra been shite when he joined us mid season. It took him awhile b4 he settled down and i forsee the same for these 2 braziians. I have heard that Hargreaves can play RB but why would we want to play our star midfielder out of position.- bit like Chelsea with Essien. I have to admit i have not seen much of Pique, Bardsley, Evans etc and that said i think we should get a good premiership quality backup for Evra. Its gonna be a long season with Utd after 3 major trophies and our 2nd string after the league cup, and thats why we need extra cover.
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To be honest despite highly rating the two lads, I can’t see them having any impact for us for at least another 2 years at best if not 3/4 years. So any problems at fullback will be there for the short to medium term anyway.
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I’m really excited about those two. Not only are they young talents from Brazil,
but they’re also identical twins!
Call me funny or whatever:) but it’s known fact that identical twins have a certain bond,
which would give our team a new kind of synergy effect.
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change the shirts at half-time, bit o news, saha will be on the bench at spurs, and anderson could make his premier debut.
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What an amazing post man. Thanks for sharing, as always.
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Stiil wouldn’t mind us snappang up Chiellini from Juventus… Perfect replacement for Heinze
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Hmmm…
As good as Dani Alves, you say?
If they are as good as Richards and Alves, or the product of a devilish combination of Heinze and Evra with Scholes’s shooting boots (hey, it could happen), then I’m happy.
realistically speaking, they’re not the reason we’re not going after full-backs (although I’m still pissed at the fact that we didn’t pick up Bale if Fergie knew that Heinze was so eager to leave). We’re not going after anyone because top-quality players (like Richards and Alves) will require too much spending at the moment.
We’ll go for them when the time’s right.
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I have often heard about these guys for the last couple of years, but it is always nice to see words from the players themselves.
I tend to agree that they won’t really have too much of an impact for a couple of years. They do seem as if they are developing quite nicely though.
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excellent interview by the way.
I’d like to see these two get a good run in the team though – it would be a shame if they went the way of David Jones.
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richards isnt expensive at the moment, at most i would pay 6 million for him, but i would be aiming for a 4.5-5 million deal simply because richards dosent have expirence yet, thats why everyone is so eager on him at this very moment, thatt and that he’s stalling to sign a new contract.
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Dan richards would cost no less than 25 million right now.god i cant wait for sunday.i hope saha,hargreaves and anderson are all fit
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Red Ranter
There is no way that Fergie will ever start two 18 or 19 year olds in the back four. Those two are future considerations and should not even be taken seriously until they are both twenty plus. Next summer I predict that they will either get Alves or Micah Richards. They will have a new transfer kitty to work with and can spend the big bucks required. Richards is also young but he has experience in both the Prem and now England too. Fergie has no problem trying out a teenager once in a while like he did Pique in CL match or playing Ronaldo and Nani up front, which is less risky, but we are talking about a full time replacement for Gary Neville. I am not so sure they haven’t gone looking for another because they are stil possibly considering prepping Pique to play that position. I know he has converted to CB these past two years in Spain, but he seemed a revelation at right back in that one match in the CL. He is a top talent and one of the top five players of the recent Under 21 WC tourney played in Canada. As long as Rio and Vidic are healthy he has no other future with United. He is too good a talent to waste like the way Rossi was wasted. I expect to see the twins factor in to the everyday plans of the club in 3 to 4 years. By that time Rio will probably have retire or been sold and Pique can move back to CB. Just a thought but it seems to make sense to me. As for Richards possible move across town. I cannot see Man City wanting to part with him, especially to us, but if the player wants it, they can’t really stop it. The “NEVER” rule only applies to Liverpool from what I have heard.
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lads just sore on sky sports news berbatovs agent said we have made an aproach for him graet news i real hope he comes, dont you lads
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We’re not going for Berbatov
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i now mow mate just saw well pissed off now, mate do u think we will buy a striker before august 31st
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Buying a player like Berbatov at present isn’t a good idea. Having at least three top strikers (Rooney, Tevez, Berba – plus Saha) plus a surfeit of attackers Nani, Anderson, Ronaldo, Park.. isn’t good for team balance. It will cause unrest because Berba, Tevez and Rooney would expect to start games and not sit on the bench. Surely that is not going to happen.
So it makes sense.
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cant you shortern the 15 min thing please mate to something like 5 or something
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[United 4 eva]
Done! It’s now down to 3 minutes! Hope that helps.
[Grognard]
) – in terms of being able to win stuff. But with City being taken over by a Billionaire and with big ambitions of Europe, we are one season too late for him. Last season, when City were down in the dumps, might have been a good time.
A City to United move might not be as bad, not because of the rivalry, but because of the stature of the two clubs in recent years (i.e, last 30 years
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thanks for changing that mate iths just seemed to take for ever lol
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i think we need a striker how can come on as a sub doesnt mind being on the bench and coming on and changing games but how is there to do that bit i agree we could real buy a high profile striker because of how we already got. i think an older guy more experienced man may be the answer but how. you guys got any names
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United 4 eva.
I think the word you are searching for is WHO not HOW. It makes reading your rants painful and frustrating. Also, try punctuation.
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wow read it again mate sorry didn’t make much sence, but nothing does after a couple of cans and a long week at work, anyway so whats your answer, WHO could we buy.
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So will we get Berbatov? I’d love to see it but somehow, I very much doubt it. Red Ranter is correct. He is a star player and he will demand first team status. He was our first choice before we settled for Tevez. Now that we have Tevez, we just can’t get him too, even if we have the money to do so. To hell with Saha, I couldn’t care less if I ever saw him play a match for us again. I hate the wimpy bitch. You cannot have harmony with Rooney, Tevez and Berbatov fighting for two spots and who knows, possibly one if Fergie is still determined about using 4-5-1. It would cause headaches and dissension. I say go after Anelka. Sulk is used to sitting on the bench, and as I see it, he is just a one year rental anyway, because he just isn’t Man Utd material folks. He does have the skills to help up front with Tevez until Rooney’s return. Then he can work in a rotation with Tevez and occasionally Rooney so that all players are properly rested. Martens would be nice but the African tourney ruins any chance of him being any help to us.
One last thing. I just don’t get Martin Jol. One day he comes out and says Spurs must sell Berbatov because he’s selfish and because Jol cannot deal with him. Now he comes out saying he would see himself dead before he let him go. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT DUTCHY SMOKING? Make up your frakken mind Marty! You love Berby, or you hate Berby. And as for Micah Richards, I agree again with Red Ranter. They should have gone after him last year or aggressively pursued him even a few months ago before his stock sored thanks to his last few games. Still, money talks and when transfer season opens next year, lots of money will tempt Man City. They may have a billionaire owning them, but it’s not like Man City dabbled into the “A” List of high priced talent available once they secured Sven. I think there is a chance to get him and if Chelsea swoops up and gets him because he doesn’t want to insult City fans by signing with a rival, then Alves should be there for the plucking. We can only hope. And for crying out loud, will Gary Neville get well already. JEEZ!
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united 4 eva
Who should we buy? Well I already said Berbatov or Anelka but the man they should break the bank to get is Huntelaar. This dutchman could be the second coming of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
He is a classic out and out old pro typical striker. Good in the air (although that seems like a useless skill with this present club’s inability to cross), a true goal poacher and a very strong player who is commanding in the box. Four goals in his Ajax season debut last week. That should have sent a loud message to Fergie, but I doubt it. I think since the bust up with RVN, he thinks Dutch strikers are moody and selfish. I guess Bulgarians like Berbatov and Stoichkov are choirboys who don’t cause trouble. I could be wrong but I just cannot understand why this guy wasn’t a priority for the club this past off season. He was the exact missing component to our team’s offensive needs. Oh well I’m just a supporter who lives on the other side of the Atlantic.
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Grognard: Someone on Redissue suggested that this whole Berbatov business may have been cooked up by senior figures at Tottenham in an attempt to leave Martin Jol’s position at the club untenable. Whilst I’m not a fan of conspiracy theories, I have heard dafter ideas. It is conceivable the rumour that Jol had demanded Berbatov be sold was leaked by Spurs to help provide justification for his replacement by Ramos. It would have also served to reduce any backlash from the Tottenham fans. Unlikely maybe, but it may help explain Jol’s seemingly erratic behaviour.
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Good point JB. It had me wondering in the back of my mind whether there was a bit of skulduggery at work here. Jol doesn’t seem to be the type to be that erratic and fickle in personality. I do feel that if United wake up and win by two goals or more that it may toll the bells for Jol’s departure. If he leaves, there is no chance of getting Berbatov. I think it’s either one or the other. I can see the Bulgarian being pissed over the way Jol has been using him. And I do believe there is a rift, but not so bad that Jol would want to get rid of him. It would explain keeping Defoe and buying Bent though. Depth at striker is great but I think they have to many top quality ones fighting for playing time.
And Berbatov has earned the right to not be part of a rotation based on his goal scoring and play from last season. Although I am not a Spurs fan, I do respect Jol and I do think he is a fine manager. But ask Fergie, it’s damned tough to win in the EPL. We shall see.
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49 aperances and 41 goals doesnt happen everyday, we need Huntelaar next summer, to see if he can cut it in the premier league, and if he can, and if he can score goals, then we give tevez back to msi, we wouldnt want him rotting on the bench, best if he goes to a club that will give him first team football.
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hope giggs gets a ressssssssttttt.holong are we going to put up with that legend bullshit while u are playing shit.WE NEED TO STA WITH A BANG.did you?RT
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There is a nagging doubt in the back of my mind about Huntelaar. There is always the risk that we could end up with a Kezmen on our hands rather than the next RVN. I have seen him about 10 times and while his goal scoring abilities are as good as they get his all round games is well short of RVN circa 2001-2003.
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JB
I couldn’t disagree with you more on Huntelaar mate. He has great skills for a big fellow and as far as what the expectation are for his position, he doesn’t have to be Ronaldinho, Rooney or Ribery. He is a goal poacher supreme. He is not Kezman as he offers skills and ability in the air that Kezman never had plus finer finishing skills, a keener perception and instinct. His style is suited to the British game where width and crossing are regarded at a premium. and regarding dan’s comment on us needing Huntelaar next summer, again I have to disagree. We needed Nani and Anderson next summer and Huntelaar now. As for Tevez, it is a long season and he would have plenty of opportunities to play and adapt. I like a formation that has a central goal poaching striker like RVN or Huntelaar as well as a second striker who plays a little behind and makes more runs and dribbles into the box, while also playing the role of a playmaker, much like Cantona used to. Rooney and Tevez are suited for that. In todays game where the team will probably play well over 50 matches, you have to rotate your top strikers a bit in order to not burn them out. Although Fergie does rest Rooney, I feel he is a little insecure without him on the pitch and thus he misses very few Prem league games by design. A three striker rotation would keep the goal scorers fresh and confuse opponents as to what style they have to defend. I say get Huntelaar now. I also did read disturbing news that Ibrahimovich has made it known to Fergie and the Board that he would very much like to be part of United’s future plans. God I hope not. He is very skillful, but he is also a whiner and a lazy player who gets into moods and quits on the pitch. He also gets injured often and his goal haul has never equaled the hype over his overrated abilities. He belongs in Italy where mediocrity and eccentricism is applauded.
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I’m not really questioning his skills per se and I appreciate not everybody is Ronaldo level in that respect. What I have concerns over is his all round contributions. I’ve seen him now 10-12 times and agree that he is a goal poacher supreme, has excellent aerial ability and is an extremely intelligent player. However his hold up play, working of the channels, link up play and work rate I would consider to be a level below RVN in his pomp. Similarly I feel an option that is issuing to us is the ability to put a ball over the back line for a striker to chase. Huntelaar, whilst no slouch, probably lacks the raw pace for this role (think Saha/Anelka/Torres). Don’t get me wrong I have a lot of time for the player and he would be an asset to the squad, but I’m not convinced he is exactly what we need or what we are looking for. Agree on the Ibra comment, all the ability in world but has the attitude of a spoilt child at times.
PS: How have I ended up talking about a 24 year old Dutch striker when I should be talking about two 17 year old Brazilian fullbacks?!?! You’ve led me astray Grognard!
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Sorry for letting you astray JB. I too am excited about the long term potential of the twins. Regarding your comment on the team needing a striker who has the raw pace to catch up to a ball put over the back line, that is what Tevez and Rooney are for. Huntelaar as I see it, would a very limited role. Sit in the box and smell out space and opportunities to poach goals and be dominant in corner opportunities and wide crosses. He won’t astound anyone with his pace or his breakout ability but then I really feel that Ruud, although more skilled didn’t excel at that either, especially after losing Beckham’s extraordinary service. I can list dozens of similar strikers who are considered legends throughout Europe and even South America. Pace is nice but it isn’t as vital as having instinct and positioning sense inside the box. Also, Huntelaar has a something that it seems many United players lack when a scoring chance or even half chance comes around. That is COMPOSURE and POISE. This is what I absolutely hate about Evra and Carrick, even though they aren’t strikers. That was also Smith’s greatest failing as a striker for us. Unfortunately I live in Canada or I’d throw a big party if we signed KJH. For me at least, he is the missing link.
Finally JB, if you really would like to know what I look for in a team in terms of style, substance, poise and killer instinct,then watch the past few contests of Bayern Munich. The best looking side I have seen in years. Yes it’s the Bundesliga but this teams, pace, passing, skill on and off the ball and ability to break down stubborn physical defenses is incredible. Their finishing is superb too. The only reason they haven’t score 7 or 8 goals in each of their first three games is due to the great goalkeeping those German teams had. No Evra’s making a meal out of sure fire opportunities. Watch Franck Ribery give a master lesson on how to dissect defenses and create chances for his strikers, his teammates and himself. This group of players could give Barcelona and AC Milan the battle of their lives. OUTSTANDING!
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Rooney and Tevez tend to sit a bit deep for that type of role, I’m thinking more about a guy who sits on the last defenders shoulder. On Carrick, I consider him to be quite composed, think you’re maybe being a bit harsh there. Fair enough regarding Evra, composed full backs can be in short supply though. On Smith you could fill a book on his failings but composure is prominent. I’ll make a point of trying to catch Munich at some stage. It has to be said they did excellent work in the transfer window, shame they’ve been left stuck in the UEFA cup.
P.S. Crystal Palace were apparently offered a £1m commission fee to act as a go between for Gaby Heinze to move to Liverpool.
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QUESTION????
Why on Earth would Liverpool risk their reputation and there standing by asking Crystal Palace to be a go between them and Heinze? Isn’t that tantamount to tampering charges? If so, Liverpool could be in big trouble. This may end up being a worser scandal than West Ham’s Tevez/Mascherano affair.
You are right that Tevez and Rooney sit back for that role but they don’t have to. Their pace would allow them to latch on to that type of ball in to the box. It’s all about anticipation and timing the run. As far as Carrick is concerned yes he seems very composed in other situations on the field, in fact too composed, almost too slow to react. However, when it comes to conecting with a great scoring opportunity, well 19 out 20 times he makes a meal out of it. The sad thing was that Rooney was doing the same in the games he played before injuring himself. Rooney has never been one to score a lot of goals as a striker but his composure has always been excellent and he has scored some beautiful goals because of that. During the Community Shield, a few exhibition matches and the first game I could count at least a dozen great opportunities where his finishing or lack of polish in the box cost us a goal. In some cases it was bloody terrible, but I forgave it because it was Rooney and it was early. This leads me to believe that this could be a problem with the type of training United go through early in the season. More emphasis must be given to shooting and heading for goal, but especially in pressure scenarios. Just a supporters observations but you have to wonder after what we have seen.
Finally, if Bayern don’t win the UEFA Cup it will be because of a scandal or because World War 3 has begun. They are in an elite class. If they can stick together and stay healthy, there is no reason they cannot challenge for next years Champions League. Then again, there is no reason United cannot compete and win this year’s as well. They just need to wake the Hell up.
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There is no suggestion of direct Liverpool involvement in the Crystal Palace affair. The idea and approach appears to have been made by Heinze’s agents and solicitor.
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