Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has backed Rafael to bounce back from his Champions League disappointment.

The 19-year-old Brazilian was sent off in last week's Champions League quarter-final defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich.

United were leading the tie at the time but Evra believes that criticism of the teenage right-back has gone over the top.

Rafael was booked for a first-half kick at Mark van Bommel before being sent off shortly after half-time having pulled back Franck Ribery.

"People are talking as if Rafael has killed someone," Evra told the club's official website."A player who's 29 or 32 can make the same mistake.

"Okay, the first yellow card, he shouldn't have done that. But the second one, I think the German players, as well as my France team-mate Franck Ribery, put pressure on the referee.

"You need to make mistakes to be a good player – you learn from them, you become stronger mentally.

"Rafael is a good player and he will be a different-class player now he has had this experience.

"When I came here I was 24 and I had already played for France and reached the final of the Champions League with Monaco.

"But the first six months at Old Trafford was difficult. I didn't expect I'd receive such a big slap in the face, but I went on to show why United bought me.

"Against Bayern Munich, I think Rafael played brilliantly. He won't be sad after this experience – we won't let him be sad.

"The morning after I told him to smile, to be happy, because he has the privilege of playing for Manchester United.

"I know the mentality of Rafael. He has a lot of hunger and I'm sure he'll be one of the best right backs United have ever had."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email