Rafael's Review

Rafael, who enjoyed a stellar 2012/13 campaign, shared his thoughts with Inside United's special Champions magazine...

Firstly, congratulations, Rafael, on winning the title again…
It was an amazing season but maybe we could have won against Real Madrid in the Champions League, you know. However, being a champion means that it is a very, very good season.

It’s incredible that your first response is to pick up on a rare negative from the campaign...
Exactly, that’s the mentality, yes? We couldn’t win against Madrid and we were disappointed about that but it’s okay. We won the league title and I think we were focused this season to get the trophy back to Old Trafford.

Surely there is no doubt Unitere were the best team given the way the final table looked?
If you see the points difference at the top, you can definitely say we are the best team this season. Like I have just said, we have been so focused. We came back in some games to recover points when we were losing and it has been very good overall.

How do you view the season on a personal level?
I think I have just been consistent this season. I think I am getting more mature, like I’ve always said, and it has been a very good season for me.

At one point you played 20 out of 21 games. Did that help you?
I am pretty sure I’ve never played that many in a row before! That consistency is so good for a player and I am very happy to have enjoyed that.

Sir Alex put you among his top four contenders for the Player of the Year award. How did that make you feel?
That’s very nice to hear coming from him. There are such good players at United, and the fact that he picked me as one of the four [Robin van Persie, Michael Carrick and David De Gea were the others] is so good. I’m very happy.

Was it important the manager got his message across last season when we had the disappointing ending?
Exactly. After the game at Sunderland, when we were in the bus, he said to the young players: ‘See what happened today. Don’t forget that'. I must never forget it so I’ll make sure I will always remember this.

Which of your goals was your favourite? Liverpool or QPR?
My favourite one is QPR because they played so hard in closing everyone down and working together so maybe it was harder to score a goal but I managed to get one. I think it's the best one I've ever scored.

Which was your best performance?
That’s QPR as well, I think. I played very well. I did play some good games – I was very good against Everton at home, too. I did well in both those games.

Which team-mate gave the best individual performance?
I think Robin, against Aston Villa. Against Southampton he scored a hat-trick too but he missed a penalty in that game. It’s hard to pick some individuals as we have had so many good games. I can’t remember exactly but I know Vida and Rio helped a lot. Carrick this season too. I have to say he was my Player of the Season. I voted for him.

Something we noticed was how, when you hit the woodwork against Villa, you didn’t dwell on it but won an important aerial duel straight afterwards to help get us on the attack again. That was impressive...
That’s the mentality to focus, you know. I was really, really concentrating in that game because we had the chance to be champions. Yes, sometimes I did show my frustration a lot here when I missed some goals as I was like: ‘I can’t believe it’. Hopefully, this shows that I am getting better.

Which one thing helped us win the title the most?
I think we were extremely focused this season. I think we have had the mentality to get the trophy back. Everyone worked together. Robin coming in has helped a lot as well, Shinji Kagawa too because he is also such a good player. The players we brought in helped ensure the spirit of the team is very good.

Sir Alex thinks Shinji will be more influential next season. Do you agree?
I’m sure about that. He’s a clever player. Maybe it’s always hard when you come over and it’s been the first season for him. He is Japanese and played in Germany, where it’s a completely different type of football. But he’s a clever player and shows this in training.

There are a number of younger players who should improve again next term...
If you see all the players now, we are starting to get mature. We were young – me, Jones, Chris Smalling, David De Gea, Danny Welbeck – we were all young. Now we are getting to the age of 24 or 25 and that’s a good age. We need to improve every day.

Are other players starting to look up to you already?
Now, I think I’m starting to get old! I always try to start helping the young players. You get mature and get older. You can’t be young forever! Of course, I enjoy it – even when I have not been at the same age as now, I always try and help. I know how hard it is to get into the first-team. I know it’s very difficult and you need some help so I always try my best to help everyone.

Is Fabio heading back to Brazil with you this summer?
Yes, we are always together! Of course, it’s been good and I’ve learned a lot without him this season. But I hope he stays here with us next year.

Will it be strange, in a way, having him back?
Yes! It’s strange now. It’s funny as maybe we’ll forget how it was to be together so it could all be a little bit strange. He played many games at Queens Park Rangers and I think he gained good experience there.

So, have you already started looking ahead to next season? Is the aim to retain the title and do better in Europe?
Of course. Once we arrive back here for pre-season, the focus will be on winning the league again and also the Champions League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup. I think it’s been a long time since we won the FA Cup so we should be really focused to win this trophy again.