Why Rafael's Latest Injury Could Mark the End of His Manchester United Career

When Rafael went off injured during Manchester United's under-21s clash against Leicester City on Tuesday night, it was easy to imagine that it could be the defender's last outing in United red.

Louis van Gaal has confirmed to MUTV (h/t ManUtd.com) that the Brazilian has a broken rib and is out for the season. 

Van Gaal said, "It's unbelievable, he has broken his ribs so he shall not play any more this season for Manchester United. It's very unfortunate."

Sadly for Rafael's admirers, it is anything but difficult to believe. He is a player whose United career has consistently been blighted by injuries.

Rob Griffith/Associated Press

This season he has rarely been selected, even when he has been fit. He is in 21st place in the ranking of league minutes on the pitch during Van Gaal's tenure. Some of that is down to his injuries, but Antonio Valencia is also clearly ahead of him in the manager's pecking order.

He did feature regularly for the first team back in September and October 2014. However, that run of games ended with an injury, and his involvement since has been sporadic.

When Rafael and his brother Fabio began to break through to the first-team ranks at the club, they generated a good deal of excitement among fans. Full of enthusiasm and commitment, the twins had plenty of endearing personal qualities to match their evident talent.

JON SUPER/Associated Press

Both were clearly rated by Sir Alex Ferguson. Fabio was in the starting XI of the 2011 Champions League final. Rafael then superseded his brother to become Sir Alex's first-choice right-back.

However, injuries persisted. The phrase "made of glass" is one that many fans used to describe them.

It was in Ferguson's final season in 2012/13 that Rafael looked to have shaken off the injury hoodoo. With regular football, he found a new level of consistency.

He played just under 900 league minutes more than in any other of his United campaigns in that year and chipped in with three goals and three assists as the Red Devils won Sir Alex his 13th league title. 

Much of Rafael's previous impulsiveness seemed to have left his game.

However, its legacy lives on in some fans' perception of him—he has always been a divisive figure among United's fans, attracting plenty of admirers and plenty of detractors. There is some irony in that—arguably—his most costly lapse came against Van Gaal's Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the 2010 Champions League.

Matthias Scharader/Associated Press

It would be interesting to know whether that has impacted Van Gaal's impressions of Rafael in a way that still lingers. A coach of his experience, though, would surely be aware of how much difference the ensuing years of development might have made.

In truth, it seems more likely that Van Gaal simply values Valencia's willingness to implement his wishes on the pitch. The 2012/13 season appeared to be a breakthrough, but the Brazilian has regressed since—almost inevitably so given his injury profile.

It is hard to see a future at United for Rafael, which is a real shame for those of us who have long admired the player.

If it is true that Nathaniel Clyne's transfer to United is a "done deal", as David McDonnell of the Mirror told MUTV (h/t Manchester Evening News), then Rafael will surely be on his way in the summer. If he is not, he risks becoming United's third-choice right-back, and he is much too good for that role.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Although he has been a divisive figure in his time at United, his legions of fans will be sad to see him go. He leaves them with a lot of good memories. His goal against Liverpool. Squaring up to Carlos Tevez during a Manchester Derby. Celebrating three league title wins.

If he does leave, he will be missed.

All advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.