Rafael: 'I know what Cristiano can do'

Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva has insisted that he is prepared to face Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League tomorrow night.

Rafael spent one season playing alongside Ronaldo at Old Trafford before the Portuguese winger moved to Real Madrid in 2009.



The Brazilian full-back will come up against his former teammate at the Bernabeu on Wednesday but believes that Ronaldo will offer nothing he has not seen before at close quarters.



He told reporters: "I know what he can do because I played and trained with him a lot.



"So he's not the type of opponent where you would say 'he's good but I don't know what he can do'. I know what he can do. If you concentrate, that's the key, reading the game. For me, he's the best player in the world.



"I think he's the complete player and I really like him. I think he's the number one. I'm sure he'll get a good reception back here [at Old Trafford]. I think it'll be massive."



The 22-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Old Trafford, establishing himself as a first-choice defender under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Rafael ready for 'biggest test'

Rafael knows Manchester United cannot afford to defend as they did against Reading when they face Manchester City on Sunday.



The Manchester rivals clash at the Etihad Stadium with United currently holding a three-point lead on the champions.



Even though the season is not yet halfway through, Rafael knows the meeting with their fierce rivals is a great chance for United to open up a significant lead.



"If we open the gap it can make the other team nervous and make it easier for us," said the Brazilian.



"There is definitely a determination to get the title back after the way we lost it. It was hard to take.



"We will never forget how we felt after the last game. We just looked at each other and asked, 'How did we lose that?' After last season, we just want the title back."



Rafael was taken off in United's last game at Reading after just half-an-hour as they struggled to cope against the Royals, before edging a seven-goal thriller.



And he admits that they were not good enough despite their 4-3 victory at the Madejski, adding: "If we defend like we did at Reading against a team like City we will be in trouble, that is 100 per cent.



"This will be our biggest test of the season so we need to concentrate well."