Rafael ‘honoured’ to win Manchester United monthly award

Manchester United full-back Rafael da Silva says it is ‘an honour’ to be voted the fans’ Player of the Month for September following a string of consistent performances for the Red Devils. Stay up-to-date with all the latest on Rafael on Sambafoot Rafael, 22, becomes just the third defender to win the award since its […]
by
sambafoot_admin
2012-10-10 21:55:00

Manchester United full-back Rafael da Silva says it is ‘an honour’ to be voted the fans’ Player of the Month for September following a string of consistent performances for the Red Devils.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest on Rafael on Sambafoot

Rafael, 22, becomes just the third defender to win the award since its inception at the start of the 2007-08 campaign, adding prestige to his achievement.

The defender scored twice in September, as the Reds beat Fulham and Liverpool, almost adding a third goal or the season with a driven shot just wide against Newcastle last weekend.

“I’m very happy to win this award, especially since I found out that defenders never win it,” Rafael laughed. “It’s just an honour to win, especially to beat Paul Scholes, and I’m very proud.

“It was a good month for me, very consistent, playing many games and of course scoring the goal at Liverpool was the high point for me. I think scoring at Anfield probably helped a lot with the voting!”

Having arrived in Manchester from Fluminense in 2008, Rafael is now in his fifth season at Old Trafford and has made approaching 100 appearances for the Red Devils. The Brazilian insists that, after phenomenal support from the club’s fans, he now feels like a “true Red” inside.

“It’s great to win something voted by the fans,” he continued. “The supporters have helped me since I came here and I’m very happy with that.

“Since I arrived here, the fans have been amazing, singing songs for me or stopping me and telling me I’m a true Red! I’ve been coming here to training since I was 15 years old, a long time, so I feel like I am a true Red.”

Rafael is also in contention for the club’s September Goal of the Month award – with the winner to be announced shortly.

Why not also try our weekly Brazilian football podcast