Red View: Rafael interview, Real Madrid v United legends video + more

RAFAEL: ALL ABOUT THE POINTS Manchester United defender Rafael appreciates Everton will be tough opponents on Sunday but the Brazilian is fully focused on taking another step towards regaining the Barclays Premier League crown. The Reds go into the weekend nine points clear of second-placed Manchester City but the gap could be closed following the champions' trip to Southampton on Saturday. Everton famously upset last year's title bid with a dramatic comeback sealing a 4-4 draw at Old Trafford and the players need no reminding of that afternoon. "Right now, I think we have to get the points in all the games," insisted the right-back in an exclusive interview with United Review, the Reds' official match programme. "It’s important to take three points. It doesn’t matter how we get them, we just have to get them. "It’s always difficult when we play against Everton. They have a good team and you can see they are always in the top five, at least, this season. When we play them at Goodison Park and at home, it is a tough game to play and, this time, it will be no different." Rafael feels the team have learned from the bitter experience of last season and is determined the Reds will not face similar frustration this weekend.  "We scored a lot of goals but conceded what were maybe silly goals ourselves," admitted the South American. "Of course, we have learned from that. We can’t concede two goals at the end like we did. I remember it was an unbelievable game. It was tough for us because we drew and maybe it cost us the league but we’ll definitely learn from it." More: Boss wary of Everton threat | Young fit for Sunday | Reds mark Lunar New Year KAGAWA RELISHING REAL TIE Shinji Kagawa is hoping to play a key role in United's "inspiring" Champions League matches against Real Madrid. The Reds travel to Spain early next week ahead of Wednesday night's Last-16 first leg at the Bernabeu and Kagawa, like all of Sir Alex's men, is keen to be involved. "I'm looking forward to it," he said. "If I’m picked, I’ll do my best to help the team reach the next stage of the competition." By his own admission, though, the Japanese midfielder lacks Champions League experience. Indeed, he's never played in the competition's knockout stages, having finished bottom of Group F with Borussia Dortmund in 2011/12. "I played in the Champions League with Dortmund last season but unfortunately we couldn’t perform to our potential," Kagawa said.  "We were too young, we didn’t have enough experience and got knocked out in the group stage. "However, United has a great history and we finished top of our group this season. The games against Real Madrid are going to be inspiring. It’s tough to play against Real Madrid, though." More: Kagawa room for improvement | Van Persie nets goal award | Video: Ferdinand on Carrington THORPE'S WINNING MENTALITY Tom Thorpe has graduated from captaining the youngsters to FA Youth Cup glory to becoming a regular at Under-21 level. He told club magazine Inside United of his ambitions... Are you relishing the second half of the Under-21 season with United qualifying for the Elite phase of the competition? Definitely. I'm looking forward to the games coming up as it’s a new league so we’re playing some different teams that we don’t always play every week. We had a break but have been getting lots of training in so we’re enjoying getting back into action. Coach Warren Joyce explained it may not have been the be-all and end-all to make the Elite group but was there a determination to qualify? You always want to win. You always want to be top of the table. Warren would have said it’s more of a learning curve, more about performances at this stage and how we play but, obviously, the lads want to win. So we’re going into this new league hoping to win every game. On a personal note, you made more appearances at this level than anybody else at United in the calendar year. Are you pleased to be a permanent fixture in the side and particularly at centre-back more recently? Yes, I’m glad to be playing full stop really. I don’t mind whether it is in midfield or centre-back, I’m just glad to be helping the team out and getting into the team regularly. Is it true, though, that you do prefer to play at the heart of the defence? That’s my preferred position. I do like to play centre-back and hopefully I can play more there in this second half of the season. But, if I’m needed in midfield, I’ll be more than happy to play there as well. Is the aim for 2013 to keep pushing for a first-team debut? Hopefully but I’ll keep training hard and playing well in the Reserves and see what happens. Who knows what will hopefully happen in the future? You only have to look at Jonny Evans and how he’s established himself in the side after coming through the ranks.. The evidence is there that, if you work hard and do well, then you get the chance. If you take that chance then you’re on your way. Most fans want to see youngsters, particularly local lads, making the grade. Is that something you’re aware of? It’s been the history of Manchester United really with lads from young ages who came through the Academy, pushed on into the first team and progressed from there. Hopefully, I can do the same. More: Parker on title chase | Cofie joins County on loan | Latest transfer gossip   This email was sent by:Manchester United Sir Matt Busby Way Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA, United Kingdom. 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