Manchester United defender Rafael says he has learned his lesson ahead of Tuesdya’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich.
The Brazilian was sent off at the start of the second half with United 3-0 up when the teams met four years ago at Old Trafford.The game eventually finished 3-2 with Bayern going through on away goals.
“It’s good learning curve for me. It cost United the match. It was a lot of help for Bayern when they play against 10 men” Rafael said.”I will never forget that. I played so good in the first half but then I got sent off like I did so it’s just learning.
“It’s good learning curve for me. It cost United the match. It was a lot of help for Bayern when they play against 10 men.”Rafael was substituted at half-time in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford with a thigh problem but is confident of lining up against the European champions.
He said: “I am okay. My thigh was a little bit tight. We just wanted to make sure I would be okay for Tuesday.”
“It was good to get back to winning ways against Villa after losing to City in our previous game.”We wanted to win like we did. Now we can focus on the Champions League. It’s a very important tournament for us.
“Everyone knows it’s hard that’s why I am saying we have to play with real quality. We have to show everyone what we are capable of and get a good result.
“Meanwhile, Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben is warning Manchester United he will be at his best for their crunch Champions League quarter-final clash.
The current European and German champions will travel to Manchester tomorrow ahead of the first-leg of their last-eight tie at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
With United extremely unlikely to qualify for next season’s competition via the Premier League, winning the Champions League is realistically their last chance of securing a place alongside Europe’s elite for the following campaign.
Having played a pivotal role in knocking Arsenal out in the previous round, Robben believes David Moyes’ men will not only bring out the best in him but also in an even more dominant Bayern side.
“Playing United is the sort of thing that really gets the best out of me,” Robben said.
“We won the German league last week but we were not even bothered about that.”Nobody in the dressing room was talking about it.
We knew ages ago we would win the title.”We have made another giant step as a team this season. We are more dominant than we have been.”
