Lost his killer instinct lately. Looked unsure of himself yesterday.
Get the impression he's a player who thrives when he has to pull something out of the hat, but prone to choking when the options are all in front of him.
I think his only real world class atribute is tied to his physical state. He cannot function as well if that goes away or is somehow affected. If he feels very fit and up for it, then he can be decisive at the highest possible levels regardless of the quality of the opponent.
This is the last player in the offense we want out there operating at diminished physical parameters. We have to value this, and not take it for granted. He's been marking the difference for the last 3-4 years. Running non stop, scoring the key goals to win us titles all this time. People take this for granted often, but Raphinha and Lewandowski have been the two players we relied on to win these titles before Lamine arrived on the scene, and after it also.
This is midseason, it's all about March - June and the man management has to be done keeping that bigger picture aspect firmly in check. Flick has to be wise here, make the required moves to have both Raphinha and Yamal in the best possible form, and maybe we can get something even in CL against the bigger sides.
I have seen us without Raphinha this season and we're half the team. We need him badly, but not any version, but the best one. I have to tie his last games with the news that he played in the Supercup with infiltrations. Give him some time to get back physically to his prime condition. We have an easy schedule that is very winnable. If Rashford can't help us vs mid table or Segunda sides, than he's fecking useless.
