According to the veteran manager, the full-back has shown enough talent to become a world-beater and in recent weeks has begun to fulfill his undoubted potential.
When http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gary-Neville-c14447 hung up his illustrious boots at Old Trafford last year, there was a wave of uncertainty as to who would step into his usual place on the right.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Phil-Jones-c29903 and Rafael were trio of defenders that Ferguson placed in the wingback role and although Jones and Smalling have shown plenty of promise, it’s the Brazilian youngster who has taken the Theatre of Dreams by storm.
Rafael, once a rash tackler but now a disciplined defender with a license to bombard to forward, seems to have made the right-back slot his own after Smalling and Jones’ extended stay on the treatment table.
The duo have played little part in United’s season but Fergie will be buoyed by the success of his Canaries’ star, who looks set to become one of the finest full-backs in the Premier League judging by his recent outings.
For years, the tactician had to endure frustrating displays from the starlet, who could be brilliant one minute and absolutely terrible the next. But like so many who have trodden on the club’s fabled turf, Rafael seems to have matured with age and had due
credit given to him by his coach at a press conference.
"He is maturing and learning all the time. Rafael has all the ingredients of a great player. He is blessed with great enthusiasm, skill and speed. He was quite impulsive and tended to over-commit. We have gone over it a few times but, bit by bit, it is all
coming together and he was easily our best player Saturday."
While the United boss is extremely pleased with the player, the 22-year-old himself also feels the same and claimed that he was playing better than ever before.
"I do think they look at me differently now. The way I play for United has changed a little bit and I have scored some goals as well. But mature is the word. I always want the ball. Now I read the game more and know what the opposing player is going to do.
It is a big time for me.”
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