Only two weeks ago Sir Alex Ferguson was lavishing praise on the way Rafael Da Silva has matured and developed as a player.

“His impetuosity has left him and he is playing with great maturity now,” said Ferguson of the 22-year-old Brazilian, who has made Manchester United’s right-back slot his own.

Unfortunately for Ferguson, Rafael reverted to type in the final minute against Chelsea yesterday and saw the red mist descend, scything down compatriot David Luiz with a kick borne out of anger and frustration.

Yet Luiz was complicit in the straight red card shown to Rafael by ref Howard Webb, the Chelsea defender smirking as he lay by the corner flag, before writhing around in mock agony to ensure his countryman received the maximum punishment.


By the letter of the law, Rafael had to go, for lashing out at Luiz, in an episode that showed he can still lose his cool in the heat of the moment, as he did with his dismissal against Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the Champions League in 2010, which ultimately cost United a semi-final place.

But there were was something deeply unpalatable about Luiz’s sly antics, the dismissal meaning Rafael will serve a three-match ban, missing United’s final two games of this season and the first one in the defence of their title next term.

Rafael has been United’s most improved player this season, and his ire was understandable, after Luiz had twice used his elbow to keep him at bay as the pair tussled for possession near the far corner of the Stretford End.

Fortunately for United, with the title already won and nothing riding on the game for them, Rafael’s retaliation and subsequent dismissal will not prove costly, but the incident showed the young defender is still prone to losing his cool when provoked.

Was that Red Card Deserved or was Howard Webb too Strict?