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Rafael knows he must perform to the best of his ability if he is to extend his contract at Manchester United and realise his dream of staying at Old Trafford for the rest of his career.
Rafael joined United along with his twin brother Fabio from Brazilian club Fluminense in 2008.
His sibling may have been moved on to Cardiff, but Rafael became a first-team regular under Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes, and now the 24-year-old wants to impress new manager Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal, who ruthlessly cut loose some of his fringe players in the transfer window, will have the final say on whether the right-back is worthy of an extension to his current contract, which is due to expire at the end of next season.
Manchester United - the latest match in picturesShow all 124 1 /124Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Everton 3 Manchester United 0 Kevin Mirallas celebrates his match-winning goal with his team-mates.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Everton 3 Manchester United 0 John Stones scored his first Everton goal as Manchester United were swept aside.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Everton 3 Manchester United 0 James McCarthy puts the Toffees into an early lead.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Nacho Monreal celebrates scoring the opening goal with Arsenal's English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Wayne Rooney equalises for Manchester United
Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Wayne Rooney celebrates after making it 1-1
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Danny Welbeck celebrates after making it 2-1
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Arsenal 2 Angel Di Maria is shown a red card late in the FA Cup quarter-final tie
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 Johnny Evans and Papiss Cisse come together
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 De Gea makes a save
Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 Ashley Young scores the winner for Manchester United against Newcastle
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Newcastle 0 Manchester United 1 Ashley Young celebrates the winner for Manchester United against Newcastle
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 Wayne Rooney scored again with a header - he hadn't scored in his previous eight Premier League matches.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 Wayne Rooney converts the penalty to put United in the lead.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 Wes Brown is sent-off to the protestations of the Sunderland players.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 John O'Shea fouls Radamel Falcao to give away a penalty - but Roger East believed Wes Brown had fouled him.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0 British record signing Angel Di Maria was so bad he was substituted at half-time.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Wayne Rooney wins a penalty after going down under the challenge of Thorsten Stuckmann
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Wayne Rooney goes down after being challenged by goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Marouane Fellaini put the visitors back into the lead with a stabbed effort from inside the box
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Marouane Fellaini scores to put Manchester United 2-1 up
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Utd's Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera scored the equaliser
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Preston 1 Manchester United 3 Scott Laird fired Preston into the lead with a deflected effort off David de Gea
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 United manager Louis van Gaal leaves the field - despite the win he was not impressed with the performance
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 Chris Smalling heads in his second goal of the game
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Burnley 1 Smalling opens the scoring
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Cheikhou Kouyate scores the opening goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Cheikhou Kouyate celebrates the opening goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Wayne Rooney during Manchester United's draw with West Ham
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Robin van Persie fails to score
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Ham 1 Manchester United 1 Daley Blind celebrates his late equaliser
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 James Wilson scored United's second to seal the win
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 Marouane Fellaini celebrates with his Manchester United team-mates
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 Marouane Fellaini scores to put United ahead
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures QPR 0 Manchester United 2 Rob Green keeps out an effort by Radamel Falcao
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 Juan Mata challenges for the ball with Fraser Forster during the Premier League match at Old Trafford
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 Manchester United defender Tyler Blackett can't reach the shot from Southampton's Serbian midfielder Dusan Tadic
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 Dusan Tadic celebrates the only goal at Old Trafford
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Ryan Shawcross puts Stoke ahead
Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 A close up of Van Gaal's notes during the match appeared to show the words 'stupid free-kick'
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Radamel Falcao equalises for Manchester United
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Stoke 1 Manchester United 1 Falcao celebrates his goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0 Neither Manchester United or Tottenham could break the deadlock
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0 Hugo Lloris was in inspired form, denying a host of chances for Manchester United in the first half
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Tottenham 0 Manchester United 0 Spurs threatened to steal all three points late in the game but it ended goalless at White Hart Lane
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Papiss Cisse scores a consolation for Newcastle form the penalty spot
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Robin van Persie scores the third for Manchester United with a perfectly-guided header
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Wayne Rooney scores his and United's second of the game
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Rooney celebrates with striker-partner Radamel Falcao after the pair combine to put United ahead
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Newcastle 1 Wayne Rooney opens the scoring after turning in a Radamel Falcao cross
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Manchester United players embrace striker Radamel Falcao after his goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Radamel Falcao celebrates scoring the equaliser against Aston Villa
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Christian Benteke celebrates scoring the opening goal against Manchester United
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 1 Christian Benteke scores a beautiful curling effort to put Aston Villa ahead
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Robin van Persie put Manchester United ahead after capitalising on Jose Fonte's poor back pass
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Pelle drew Saints level before the end of the first half
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Van Persie celebrates his second goal of the match that turned out to be the winner
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Juan Mata and Marcos Rojo celebrate United's second
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Steven Nzonzi fires in the equaliser
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Stoke 1 Marouane Fellaini scores United's first goal of the game
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Chris Smalling scores United's opener after a goalmouth scramble
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Maroune Fellaini controls the ball as Curtis Davies looks on
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Juan Mata attempts to close down Ahmed Elmohamady as he passes
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 The United players congratulate Robin van Persie after he scores a much-needed goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Wayne Rooney scored again, netting United's second
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 3 Hull 0 Ashley Young stretches to control a high ball
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Michael Carrick started a game for the first time this season, in centre-midfield
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Robin van Persie again went scoreless - he has just three goals in 10 matches
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Angel Di Maria is crowded out by Yannick Bolasie and Adrian Mariappa
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Marouane Fellaini tries to win a header from a corner
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Substitute Juan Mata fires in a 25-yard strike, that took a deflection, to score the only goal of the game
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Crystal Palace 0 Mata and United players celebrate the goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Chris Smalling picks up a booking for blocking Joe Hart
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Later in the first half, Smalling was shown another and then sent off
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Kompany tackles Di Maria
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0 Sergio Aguero celebrates the only goal of the game
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Robin van Persie celebrates his late goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Robin van Persie scores the equalising goal in the final minute
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Referee Phil Dowd shows a red card to Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Didier Drogba celebrates his goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Didier Drogba heads in to give Chelsea the lead
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Thibaut Courtois saves an effort from Robin van Persie
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 Didier Drogba shields the ball under pressure from United players
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 The players make their way out onto the pitch at Old Trafford
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 David De Gea could do nothing to stop Stephane Sessegnon's opener
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Sessegnon celebrates his early goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Marouane Fellaini celebrates bringing the scores level after his introduction at the break
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Berahino (right) put West Brom back in front. Picture left is Marcos Rojo, who was terrible throughout
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 Daley Blind rescued a late point for Manchester United with a sweet finish
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Radamel Falcao celebrates scoring the winner
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Steven Naismith equalises for Everton
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Leighton Baines has his penalty saved
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 Everton 1 Angel Di Maria celebrates opening the scoring
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Wayne Rooney is shown a red card by Lee Mason
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Wayne Rooney kicks out at Stewart Downing
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Diafra Sakho scores for West Ham as his header loops over Robin van Persie
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Radamel Falcao has an effort on goal
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Robin van Persie and Luke Shaw go for the double-high-five after the striker scores for United
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Robin van Persie doubles United's lead against the Hammers
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 2 West Ham 1 Wayne Rooney opens the scoring for United
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 The remarkable comeback was complete after Leonardo Ulloa tucked in a penalty to make it 5-3. After Tyler Blackett had fouled Jamie Vardy in the box, getting sent off for his troubles, United's afternoon went from bad to worse.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Livewire striker Jamie Vardy, who only broke into the Stocksbridge first team at the age of 21, put Leicester ahead late on.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Despite Ander Herrera restoring United's three goal lead, Leicester just would not lie down. Following David Nugent's penalty, Esteban Cambiasso blasted City level.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Leonardo Ulloa, a sensation since joining the Foxes, got his side back in the clash almost straight away.
Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Leicester City 5 Manchester United 3 Angel di Maria, following Robin van Persie's opener, appeared to have put the game beyond Leicester. Stunning, outrageous chip over Kasper Schmeichel.
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Radamel Falcao makes his United debut
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Juan Mata completes the rout at Old Trafford
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Wayne Rooney celebrates the third
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Daley Blind and Sandro in action
Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 4 QPR 0 Angel Di Maria celebrates his first goal for United against QPR
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Juan Mata is crowded out by Burnley defenders - indicative of the home side's effort and work rate for the full 90 minutes
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Angel Di Maria made his United debut but couldn't influence the side and eventually limped off with an injury after 70 minutes
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Manchester United players react after referee Chris Foy waved away what looked like a handball that would have been a penalty
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson looks on in anguish at Turf Moor as United failed to win again
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Sean Dyche's team picked up their first point of the season with an excellent performance
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Burnley 0 Manchester United 0 Louis van Gaal is still winless as Manchester United manager after three matches in charge of the club
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Louis van Gaal was not too disheartened at the full-time whistle, but he will know how much work lies ahead following his first defeat as United manager
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 The two goalscorers Ki and Sigurdsson were left to celebrate at the end after inflicting United's first opening day defeat since 1972
Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Gylfi Sigurdsson stunned Old Trafford for a second time in the same afternoon as he restored Swansea's lead following a goal-mouth scramble
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Gylfi Sigurdsson fires home the winner to secure Swansea a 2-1 win over Manchester United
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Wayne Rooney managed to drag United level after he took advantage of a loose ball to smash home a close-range bicycle kick
Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Wayne Rooney acrobatically scores a bicycle kick to level the scores
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Ki-Sung-Yeung celebrates after making it 1-0 to the visitors Swansea
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Manchester United - the latest match in pictures Manchester United 1 Swansea 2 Tyler Blackett was handed a shock call-up by Louis van Gaal to start United's opening match against Swansea.
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"I am glad I am still here, but sad because a lot of friends have left," Rafael told United Uncovered.
"I want to keep going and stay here forever, if possible.
"It depends on me to play well, I need to play well. I just want to stay here.
"I came here at 15-years-old so I have to say that I feel at home here.
"I can never say enough about this club. It is one of the best clubs in the world, if not the best in the world."
Although diminutive in size, Rafael's role at United has been a big one since Gary Neville hung up his boots in 2011.
Upon his retirement, the former England defender ear-marked Rafael as the man to succeed him in the right-back role he occupied at Old Trafford for over a decade.
Ferguson once said Rafael trained "like a beast", but the defender now has another role to play at the club - one of mentor.
He may be just 24, but Rafael thinks he has an important role to play in helping United's recent academy graduates and new signings settle in to the first-team squad.
"When I first came here, I saw how a lot of players helped me like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes," Rafael said.
"Gary Neville, even though he played in my position, helped me a lot because he was one of the best right-backs in the world.
"I want to do the same when I see some young players come in. Sometimes it's difficult so my job is to try to help them.
"Before, I saw some players arriving, foreign players, and they just cannot understand anything and I was exactly the same.
"Sometimes, I still want to say: 'What are they saying?' It's so hard and I try to help them because I know how difficult that is."
After recovering from a groin injury he suffered in pre-season, Rafael made his first appearance under Van Gaal last Sunday when United hammered QPR 4-0.
New broom: Louis van Gaal has agreed to £157m of spending since his arrival (Getty) The Red Devils will face better opposition this term, but the way in which Angel di Maria, Wayne Rooney and debutant substitute Radamel Falcao performed filled the United support with a sense of optimism that has been largely missing since Ferguson's reign ended in the summer of 2013.
Rafael won the Premier League three times under the Scot and he is desperate to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford as soon as possible.
"I want to win the league again and I want us to get the winning way back," he said.
"Then everything will be like it's always been at this club."
Van Gaal will look to record his second win on Sunday when United travel to Leicester.
The Foxes are one of the favourites for relegation, but Van Gaal has been impressed by the spirit they have shown so far this term.
"They have had some difficult games," the United boss said of the Premier League newcomers, who have taken five points from their opening four matches.
"For one hour against Chelsea away, it was 0-0, so I don't think it's an easy game.
"They were behind (against Arsenal) and they came back (to draw) so the character in their team is very good."
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