Gary Neville was happy retiring knowing Man United's right-back spot was in good hands with Brazilian Rafael.
Full-back happy knowing club has a ready-made replacement
Gary Neville was happy retiring knowing Manchester United's right-back spot was in good hands with Brazilian Rafael.
United have struggled for a regular right-back in recent seasons with Neville battling with injury and Rafael not quite ready for a regular berth.
The likes of West Brown and John O'Shea have also filled in when necessary, but in Rafael Neville believes Sir Alex Ferguson has a long-term replacement for himself.
The former England international thinks that Ferguson has a settled backline on his hands for years to come and that 20-year-old Rafael will maintain his excellent level of progress.
Settled
"You can now say we've got a first-choice back four for the first time in a few years," he told the club's
official website.
"Rafael's always had ability. He gets to the ball quickly, he is aggressive, he defends his position well, he is tough, courageous, good on the ball, he gets forward well and provides energy in attack.
"But he has really developed in the last six months with games and experience. He has also got a great attitude. He is more than capable of going on to become United's right-back for many years.
"We haven't had a consistent right-back in the last couple of years. I have been around. Wes Brown and John O'Shea have played some games as well as Rafael, but in the last four or five months we've had a consistent performer in that position."
