His performances this season have really improved. He isn't making mistakes and he looks assured and comfortable within his role in the team - like he feels like he's part of United now and not a newbie. It's going to be terrible if he gets a lengthy ban becuase his form right now is incredible - i'd put him up there as one of the best defenders in the world right now - and Silvestre is benefitting from the stability and assured perfromances Rio is putting in. If the defence keep playing like this I would say we have a massive chance in the CL this year. It was the problem area last time around but we're now the best defence in the league and topped our CL table having only conceded 2 goals...that's not by virtue of the attack being out of this world and not letting the opposition get the ball ...it's by virtue of the magnificent performances the boys are putting in at the back. Sheesh. A congratulaory (is that a word? ) thread. Well deserved too... Add on people..
Agreed. Rio has been, this year, what we hoped he'd be last year. Fewer mental lapses. Less use of physical ability to make up for mistakes. Great use of skill to evade pressing attackers but few mistakes. Quite good distribution. He doesn't score goals like he did for Leeds - but maybe that's because Man Utd don't play as attacking as Leeds once did (though I wish they would ).
Worst thing is Rio seemed to be just coming of age within the team and is/was looking increasingly assured with the role he has in the team.