Rafael returns to the Manchester United team on Tuesday night after serving a suspension for his dismissal against Tottenham last week. The Brazilian full back is becoming a fixture in the team and veteran Ryan Giggs says it is deserved for the youngsters new-found maturity.
"Rafael has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few months," said the veteran Welshman.
"I have seen a massive improvement, not only in the way he plays but within him as a person.
"I come up against him in a lot of training sessions because we play in opposite positions and I have seen the maturity develop over the last three or four months.
"If he keeps developing he is going to be a brilliant player."
And whilst, at 20 years old, Giggs acknowledges mistakes will still be made, he feels Rafael's enthusiasm helps make up for the minor deficiencies.
"You can't teach that, the enthusiasm Rafael brings to the game when he makes those forward runs and dribbles past people," said Giggs.
"Players rely on that appetite.
"He was really unlucky to get sent off at Tottenham but when you are young you do make little mistakes. All you hope is that the individuals concerned learn from them and get better."
