Rafael on the attack

Rafael is relishing the chance to continue his forays forward in Saturday's clash with Wigan Athletic after already opening his goal account for the season.
The Brazilian has been joining the attack with increased purpose this term and, after scoring for his country in the Olympics, he nodded home during the last Old Trafford outing against Fulham. It was his third goal for the club after earlier efforts against Arsenal away in 2008/09, and at home to Wigan in the following campaign.
"When I was younger, I played as a striker," Rafael told United Review, the official matchday programme. "I like heading the ball and it was great to score [against Fulham] – it was a really good cross by Ashley [Young] and I was in a good position. I enjoy getting forward – I just love football!
"Of course, as a player you can always improve something. I think I need to improve my defending and I have said this since I arrived here. I keep working hard at that and I will keep working to try and improve."
Rafael is hoping the Reds can erase memories of last April's 1-0 reverse at the DW Stadium, a result that proved costly during the title run-in.
"I didn’t play but I remember watching and it was a bad game at such an important time of the season," he explained. "It was very bad. Hopefully things will be different because we are at home, but we know it will be hard because Wigan are a better team than they were earlier this year."