Euroscout packed a flask of milky tea and forked out £31 to see Rodrigo Possebon make his full debut for Manchester United against Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup.
The Brazilian-born 19-year-old (pictured with Boro's Stewart Downing) arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting Club Internacional in January, labelled a box-to-box midfielder with fine distribution and vision.
Having acclimatised with United's reserves he made his first team bow against Kaiser Chiefs on the club's summer tour of South Africa, putting in a composed display to leave Sir Alex Ferguson glowing.
"Rodrigo used the ball well and I think the lad has got a chance," Ferguson said.
His first competitive appearance followed in the Premier League opener against Newcastle United in August, where he entered the fray as a second-half substitute.
Rodrigo was used in the same capacity against Portsmouth the following week, before Ferguson awarded him with a first competitive start against Middlesbrough at the Theatre of Dreams. This time Euroscout was there, notebook in hand.
Sitting alongside compatriot Anderson, Rodrigo settled immediately into the match - dropping into the hole to collect possession and living up to his reputation as a fine ball player.
Like all good midfielders he has the ability to create space for himself, and more often than not takes advantage to produce the right pass, at the right time - using both feet with equal comfort.
Physically, Rodrigo is far from imposing, however, and United appeared a touch lightweight with the teenager at their hub.
For this reason, it's hard to imagine Ferguson starting him in a high-octane Premier League clash against Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool until he's added steel to his game.
But in Europe the Brazilian could have a role to play this season. As Park Ji-Sung proved last year, neat and energetic players can thrive in the Champions League - where there is less emphasis on physicality.
Sadly Rodrigo's evening was ended by an ugly tackle from Emanuel Pogatetz, but the teenager had already done enough to suggest he could have a future at Old Trafford.
You get the feeling there's a lot more to come and, providing he grows in both confidence and stature, he could one day become a mainstay in the United midfield.
Summary: Rodrigo Possebon
Pace: 7.5/10
Skill: 7.5/10
Strength: 6/10
Aerial ability: 6/10
Finishing: 7.5/10
Movement: 8.5/10
Work-rate: 8/10
Right foot: 7/10
Left foot: 7/10
Current ability: 6.5/10
Potential ability: 8/10 |
發表於 2008-9-24 08:27 PM
| 