THE RISE OF RAFAEL : How Manchester United won the 2012/13 Barclays Pre...

THE RISE OF RAFAEL : How Manchester United won the 2012/13 Barclays Pre...: Here is an review of how United clinched their record 20th title in the English top flight.

How Manchester United won the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League

Here is an review of how United clinched their record 20th title in the English top flight.

THE RISE OF RAFAEL : Experience is often underrated in football, but do...

THE RISE OF RAFAEL : Experience is often underrated in football, but do...: Experience is often underrated in football, but do not misjudge the influence of time on Rafael’s burgeoning Manchester United career. ...

Experience is often underrated in football, but do not misjudge the influence of time on Rafael’s burgeoning Manchester United career.

Unbelievably, the Brazilian’s Old Trafford future was once questioned following a couple of high-profile errors. But today, in the midst of a largely impeccable season, the elder Da Silva twin (by a few minutes) is answering his critics in typically flamboyant fashion.

Throughout an excellent campaign, Rafa has made the right-back berth his own, adding maturity to potential and, most recently, helping the Reds seal a deserved 2-0 win over QPR at Loftus Road with a performance of great style, substance and verve.

As well as earning ManUtd.com’s Man of the Match award – and by some distance too - he might also take home a Goal of the Season award, having smashed in a 25-yard thunderbolt that would make next Tuesday's wing opponent Cristiano Ronaldo proud.

Aside from the obvious quality, the most impressive aspect of Rafa’s effort was his confidence to strike a bouncing ball, particularly as Nani – clearly the safer option – was free to take a pass out wide. Nobody expected what happened; jaws hit the floor.

That self-belief has fuelled a fine term and most recently shone through at the Bernabeu, where he overcame a torrid first half to improve sufficiently after the break, snuffing our Real’s threat down the left flank to offer hope for the second leg.

Impressively, 32 appearances have been made this season, which is five more than his previous best and bettered only by the ever-present Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie, earning considerable acclaim from his team-mates and several noteworthy pundit

Such performances have even warranted Sir Alex to compare the 22-year-old to bona fide United legend Gary Neville, who famously made over 600 appearances during a distinguished and trophy laden 19-season career at the Theatre of Dreams.

Earlier this season, when asked if his current prodigy could replicate Neville's success, Sir Alex was clear in his assessment: "It did take time for Gary in terms of his use of the ball and crossing but all these things developed because he wanted to work on them. Rafael is definitely the more naturally talented."

Of course, part of Rafael’s ascendancy can be attributed to his new-found consistency, while a wing partnership with Ecuadorian powerhouse Antonio Valencia has, at times, bred an understanding that is reminiscent of Neville and David Beckham in their primes.

"My friendship with Antonio Valencia is good," Rafa recently explained. "He plays well in every position and it's good to watch him and learn something that you're not doing. Being the number one right-back at this club is important to me."

Two attributes that have also underpinned his growth are patience and maturity. As we all know, football can be a fickle business at the best of times and the modern fan, armed by social networking, is often too judgmental and quick to dismiss a young player.

In 2010, under the Old Trafford floodlights, the Petrópolis-born star was lambasted following a now-infamous dismissal as United exited the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich via the away goals rule. Notably, he was just 19 years old at the time.

A season later, he was sent off again for a second bookable offence during a Premier League stalemate with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. This time, he was 20 and grumbles regarding his quality and temperament continued to sound.

Questions were rightly asked, but in the cold light of day, a young defender’s willingness to impress and commit to a cause should not be handicapped - it should be encouraged and unleashed. In short, having too much fight is hardly a problem.

Now, with a heightened sense of responsibility, Rafa is flourishing into a world-class talent, showing exactly why patience is still a virtue in football. Player of the Year, anyone?

In the week when golden statues were handed out in Hollywood, do not discard this promising showman from gathering a few gongs of his own when award season hits M16.

Player of the Year, anyone?