Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is a big fan of teammate Rafael da Silva.

Ferdinand admits he can see a lot of himself in United team-mate Rafael, who scored a fine equaliser at Liverpool.

"Rafa is his own worst critic," said Ferdinand of the Brazilian full-back. "He is emotional and sometimes when he makes a mistake he has to make up for it immediately. That comes out in his game at times.

"When I was his age I was a lot like that. I used to be more interested in what was happening in the attacking part of the game and further up the pitch than defensive play.

"I realised it when I went to Leeds at 22. I was more of a maverick under Harry Redknapp at West Ham and when I went to Leeds David O'Leary pulled the reins in and made me think about my defensive duties first.

"He said everything else would come naturally. I speak to Rafa about it similarly and he's a quick learner."