• Premier League

Title woe motivates Rafael to get City revenge

ESPN staff
December 7, 2012
Rafael da Silva scores the equaliser against Liverpool in September © Getty Images
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Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva has revealed that the manner Manchester City took the title from his side's grasp in the final minutes of last season will drive him on in Sunday's derby.

City's 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday allowed United to stretch out a three-point gap at the top of the table with their victory over Reading, making this weekend's match an important game for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Brazilian Rafael is determined to take all the points so that come May, he and his team-mates will not suffer the same feeling that Sergio Aguero's injury-time strike against QPR evoked.

But the 22-year-old is aware that a win will need to be built on a more accomplished defensive effort than was shown in the 4-3 win against the Royals.

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

"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.

"To get a six-point lead over them [City] is very important. If we open the gap it can make the other team nervous and make it easier for us.

"If we defend like we did at Reading against a team like City we will be in trouble, that is 100%. This will be our biggest test of the season so we need to concentrate well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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