Man United’s Sir Alex Ferguson pleased with Rafael’s Real Madrid display
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson heaps praise on Rafael da Silva for the right-back's display at Real Madrid
Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Rafael da Silva for the right-back’s mature performance in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
By Ferguson’s own admission, the Brazil international endured a difficult first half as he struggled to contend with Mesut Ozil and Madrid’s other attacking talents.
The 21-year-old was shown a yellow card in the 40th minute but the United manager persevered with his young South American defender despite the risk of a second caution.
And Ferguson says Rafael was much-improved in the second half of the fist-leg last-16 tie, keeping former Red Devils forward Cristiano Ronaldo in check.
“Obviously Rafa had a trying first half but he coped well in the second half. He calmed down,” Ferguson told United’s website.
“He’s a very impetuous boy. He’s enthusiastic and wants to win every ball and, of course, he committed himself far too early on a lot of occasions.
“In the second half, he was back to the form he has shown all season and he did really well.
“For a young boy to recover like that says a lot for him so that was pleasing to get that second-half performance out of him.”
