Has the Brazilian shown he’s ready for the United left back spot?
Towards the end of last season, Sir Alex Ferguson declared that the younger of the Da Sliva twins would be going out on loan for 2012/13, it was later announced that Queen’s Park Rangers would be the Brazilians destination.
Despite having some questionable fans – cheering Sergio Aguero’s winner when they knew they were safe is beyond a joke- QPR seemed like a good destination for the young full back. Premier League football in a side that had gone on a bit of a spending spree and added some quality to its numbers had all the makings of the perfect preparation for Fabio before he returned to Old Trafford to stake a claim for Patrice Evra’s left back spot- providing his older brother had made the right back position his own.
Upon announcing Fabio was going out on loan Sir Alex noted:
“I hope that Fabio will develop the same way as his twin [Rafael] and, to help him, he will go out on loan next season to give him concentrated first-team experience,”
“I have already talked to him and he understands the value of playing regularly at a higher level than we can give him at the moment.”
Since joining QPR Fabio has seen his club fight relegation for the entire season, his manager leave and a new boss come in who by-and-large has struggled to move the side forward- despite a few decent results.
The youngster himself has played 18 times in the Premier League this season which isn’t great but not too shabby when you take into account he’s had injury problems at the beginning of the campaign which kept him out for several weeks.
Performance wise Fabio has acquitted himself well at QPR but the question remains will he replace Evra next season, or is a bit part role on the horizon for the youngster? With Alexander Buttner seemingly not quite up to the job of being Evra’s successor it would seem tailor made for Fabio to take over the left back spot.
Evra is currently enjoying one of his best ever seasons and many Reds have been wondering whether he could still be the first choice left back in the next campaign. The former French skipper turns 32 in May and the smart money next season would be on Fabio gradually being eased into the first team as a regular. Sir Alex Ferguson may see things differently, if the boss thinks Evra has at least one more season as first choice, then could we see Fabio out on loan again- maybe even just till January? It’s worth noting that Fabio can also be used at right back or on the wing, so we could see him rotated where he’s needed.
Personally I’d like to see Fabio back at Old Trafford next season, given more games at left back than we’ve seen Buttner in during this campaign, but not quite replacing Evra as it seems the Frenchman still has a lot to offer.
Do you agree? Should Fabio actually be first choice left back next season, or is it time for another loan spell? Answers on a brick through the usual window please, or comment below :
Maybe stats-wise this is Evra’s best season but personally I think defensively he’s been very weak. I’m no Sir Alex Ferguson but I think next season Butner(who I like A LOT) and Fabio should fight it out and with all due respect Evra should be sold.
Another loan spell for Fabio i sugest, becuase with Evra’s current form Fabio still will not make good number of appearance. He needs cosistency in his play to boost his confidence in replacing an informed Patrice Evra. And he will have all the chances, consistence and good form on loan.
100% agree with Fabio post. Rafa seems to have bulked up and got stronger. I thought Rafa was the junior twin as I remember it was said that Fabio was the one expected to succeed. Without doubt he should come back. In the playing plusses Evra has stopped some of his shakiness, added goals and deserves to be first choice. Apart from Wigan home, Buttner has not impressed. From what I have seen of Fabio he has treaded water. Maybe Wigan on loan next year then back to OT to compete direct with Evra! Bring back the Fab!
Have to agree with Yarwood, at present Evra is too good to replace, put Fabio out on loan again in the top flight to get as much football experience as possible, i think he will be a future Man United star, just imagine goals from the left and right back set of
identical twins, love it love it love it..
It is frustrating as if we journey back to the tail end of the 2010/11 season, Fabio was a regular starter and looked a better player than his brother.
No point bringing him back if he is only going to start 10 games.
“…the younger of the Da Silva twins…”
Dafuq?
I actually checked if the writer was being extremely accurate, but in fact Fabio is the older of the twins being born about 10 minutes before Rafael.
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/football/Premiership/article871221.ece
Fabio is the older of the two
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/football/Premiership/article871221.ece
I think one more season 4 fabio 2 inprove
I’m pretty much in agreement with the author – a first for the reactionary, knee-jerk RFFH (see Jonny Evans missed his chance article)!
Evra has improved throughout the season (despite a shaky start) and seems not to be quite a busted flush yet. However, despite the fact Patrice has always been a bit better going forward than in defence, he still worries me when a winger with genuine pace and trickery runs at him. For this reason, I thin Evra should not be guaranteed first choice beyond next season.
Is Buttner good enough to replace him? Not sure yet. Is Fabio? Not sure yet.
But if we can bring Fabio back to give competition to those two, I don’t think it would be a bad idea. The fact he is versatile and can fit in other positions would also work in his favour.
If he will get 15+ games with us next season, I say bring him back. If not, loan him out again.
Tough call to be honest …
i dont think buttner should have been signed in the first place.it will be harder to break in now