Fabio

[g@mb!t]

He seemed defensively very reliable last season, he seemed to be off the pace at times. i think lack of game time is the reason for it.

[se7en]

Along with Phil Jones he was a positive from tonight made some very good runs.

[IrishManc.]

Yeah he was good. Would be no harm if he got a run of games at LB

[Sideshow Bob]

No harm in allowing Evra a rest. In the other thread I have been critical of Evra but playing in nearly all the games has surely had an effect on him - we maybe seeing the effect on him now.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

He's hardly had a rest for 5 years really. He's always at the top of the appearance table at the end of the season. It probably hasn't done him any favours. Up until last season he had been one of our most reliable players. Consistently played well and played every game. For me it's time to stop playing him every week, I said it last season too. Give Fabio games there now and then, maybe even Jonny Evans too (it's been hard to do that so far as we've had problems at CB ). Not only will this allow him rest but it will allow others to push him for his place, always nice to have a bit of competition.

[IrishManc.]

Yeah great point. Evra hasn't had competition for his place since Heinze really.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Fabio coped with the pace of Dyer better than Evra. Time to give Fabio more starts?

[Sideshow Bob]

Maybe. With Vidic, Ferdinand and Carrick shoring up the defence now might be the correct time to give Fabio a chance. Maybe worth sticking with Evra now the defence is more secure.

I see no harm in giving Fabio the odd game. Evra can't play every game.

[Aran]

I love our twins. I genuinely think they can only get better, and now with Fabio being exposed to as many games as Rafael had, he'll improve both defensively and in an attacking sense.

I do think he's a good left-back but his eagerness and enthusiasm can make him be too rash. (Just like his brother). But I think we've got good options with the fact he could play further forward, a la Arsenal in the FA Cup where he & Rafael were tremendous.

[se7en]

Did pretty well i thought GK stood up well to shot in the second half

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

I'll have to see it again but I thought he could have played Berba through who was next to him. Don't think the chip was the right option but then that's hindsight, could be sitting here saying "what a class goal".

[se7en]

Very pleased with his performance one of the plus points from today.

[Sideshow Bob]

Rash on a couple of occasions but overall I thought Fabio played okay.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Same. Very happy. Needs more games and needs to mature like his brother. Expect him to play next week too. Very weird seeing someone else at LB, Evra has been the one permanent fixture in the team for about 5 years.

[Sideshow Bob]

Yep, Fabio should play next Thursday. Hopefully Evra will benefit from having a wee break.

[jsp]

I thought he played well last night he made 1 or 2 lunges but most of the time he came out with the ball.

Just wish that him and his brother could stay fit for more than a week they certainly look to have been hitting the gym which might help but just as they start to play well they get injured.

I agree he should start against Ajax next week Evra looks tired and I think having a bit of pressure on his place might help keep him on his toes as at the moment teams seem to be getting a lot of luck down our left hand side.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Evra hasn't been great, he's had little protection down the left though. Our RB's are helped out by Valencia or Nani. I think there's a lot of reasons for Evra being not great though.

90 mins for Fabio the other night. Rafael played 90 against Liverpool. Good to see.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Fabio and Rafael a positive tonight, possibly our full backs for years to come. 90 minutes too.

[IrishManc.]

Yeah both were the main positives really. Hopefully they can get a good run in the side.