MX23RW : Tuesday, March 11 02:30:34| >> :60:2964:2964:
Manchester City logo
Premier League
Dec 9, 2012 at 1.30pm UK
 
Manchester United logo

2-3

Zabaleta (86'), Touré (60')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Rooney (16', 29'), Van Persie (90')

Rafael desperate to beat Manchester City

Rafael desperate to beat City
© PA Photos
Manchester United defender Rafael believes that the pain of losing out to Manchester City last season will drive them on to put things right in Sunday's derby.

Manchester United defender Rafael has declared that the pain of being pipped to last season's title will fuel them in Sunday's derby.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side were edged out by Manchester City, who won the Premier League in the last minute of a dramatic season.

Rafael believes that his teammates are driven by fear of failure and will give everything to win at the Etihad this weekend.

He told reporters: "The derby is a big game and it is getting more and more important each season. It is a very big game for us.

"We are really determined to make up for losing the title to them last season. The way we lost it made it even harder to accept and this season we are determined to win the title back.

"I will never forget how I felt that night, after we had lost it, and that will give us more motivation, definitely. We just looked at each other and said, 'How did we lose it by a few goals?' It was hard to take. It took ages to get over it and the pain is still there."

United are three points clear of City at the top of the table ahead of their first meeting of the season.

ID:58247: cacheID:58247:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2022:
Written by
Liam Power
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rafael Da Silva
Read Next:
Rafael flattered by Neville comparison
>
Read more about Rafael Alex Ferguson Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!