Manchester United fans are in quite a quandary as to who should start in the right-back position against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
Antonio Valencia has been the man called upon by Louis van Gaal as the manager employed a 3-5-2 system over the Christmas period and it was expected Rafael would return when the team returned to 4-4-2.
But in the last three games whilst playing four defenders, the Ecuadorian has still been preferred at the back and has picked up United’s Player of the Month award, voted for by the fans.
Rafael’s only start of late was against Yeovil in January whilst Paddy McNair threw his name into the hat with an impressive display against Cambridge.
Whilst the opposition has to be taken into account and McNair would be in for a far tougher game at Upton Park, most fans believe the Northern Irishman deserves another go.
@PeoplesPerson_ McNair. Although it was 'only Cambridge' but performance was too good to be ignored. Must be given a chance to build on it.
— Radamel Falcao (@RedFlag_MUFC) February 6, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ McNair .. In form, has a physical presence in the air and West Ham play narrow, so he won't be 1v1 with a winger.
— Teza (@Tezskii) February 6, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ McNair a thousand times. Rafael is never fully fit and Valencia is… Oh dear.
— Allan Matos (@GiggsInMidfield) February 6, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ Rafael if 100% fit.
— Marc Berman (@MrMBerman) February 6, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ Valencia – Simply because I prefer McNair to partner Rojo at CB.
— Ryan Hunter (@MillersManiac) February 6, 2015
@PeoplesPerson_ Valencia, most reliable of the bunch.
— Marcin Królak (@Cinkiewicz7) February 6, 2015
Whilst fans would also like to see Rafael given his popularity and undoubted talent, the Brazilian appears out of favour and it would be a surprise if anybody but Antonio Valencia was the man chosen.
Despite being unspectacular, Valencia does prove to be solid defensively and clearly has the trust of his new boss.
