Sir Alex Ferguson: 'Rafael da Silva showed his class'

Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that he never considered taking off Rafael da Silva during Manchester United's clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday evening. 

The Brazilian full-back appeared to struggle during the opening 45 minutes in the Bernabeu and was eventually booked for a foul that he committed on Mesut Ozil. 

However, he responded in the second half with a much stronger performance and Ferguson has admitted that he never doubted the 22-year-old's ability. 

"Obviously Rafa had a trying first half but he coped well in the second half. He calmed down," Ferguson told MUTV. "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." 

Rafael has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season.