Huge miss if this is true. And if it is true then i expect Utd to drop more points then i thought they would have done.
Rio has been out for a few weeks now," said Ferguson.
"We are not looking at this as a short-term situation.
"He has not started training yet. We will be lucky to get him back for some part of the season."
Its a loss, but I don't think its as big as some people make out imo. They seem to be doing okay at the moment without him. And Smalling has plenty of experienced pros around to help him out and keep him settled
not as big a blow as you think, take a look at number of games Rio has missed over the last 3 years, its quite substansial.Smalling has done very well, but with Rio we are completely different defensive unit. He will be missed in the crunch games for sure. He played very well whenever he was fit this season.
not as big a blow as you think, take a look at number of games Rio has missed over the last 3 years, its quite substansial.
Good News for Arsenal
bad news for Rio and Man u
shouldn't really make any difference as i'd say he'd have a fight on his hands to get back in to the first team 11 after the recent form of Chris Smalling. it's a blow for Rio though who just seems to be picking up one after the other.
the problems with brown and smalling camelargely from the lack of midfield protection. Its a blow but not as big as people make out (as i said before, check just how many games, and big ones at that, that rio has missed in the last 3 years). our run in doesnt include many hugely difficult games, bar arsenal, so he will cope just fine with vidicI really don't think that's true tbh. Smalling has been excellent, admittedly, but Rio's experience plays a huge part in how good a defender he is, and Smalling still lacks experience. The game's that he has played, and done well in, haven't been the most difficult games (Not to take anything away from his performances) and I still think that his age hinders him slightly in the big games - for example, he didn't do so well at Anfield, and gave away a penalty against Chelsea.
In any case, Rio's injury means one less CB to cover if you get an injury or suspension to one of Smalling and/or Vidic. You've seen what happens when you have Brown at CB with Smalling at Anfield - you were ripped apart.
Just so I don't get accused of outrageous bias and trolling, I actually really rate Smalling. He was brilliant on his Fulham debut and looks right at home at Utd. It's also a ****** having Rio out for England, though I think we have suitable cover providing Capello doesn't pick Matty Upson again.