If this was the last-chance saloon then Rafael was the life and soul of the party with a standout performance as Manchester United 's Under 21s drew 1-1 with Tottenham . The Brazilian right back , 24 , is said to be fighting for his future at Old Trafford after struggling to impress manager Louis van Gaal . He has made just nine appearances this term and was an unused substitute for the 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal on Monday after being left out of the squad altogether for the previous two matches against Sunderland and Newcastle - despite overcoming injury . Rafael impressed for Manchester United 's U21s against Tottenham at Old Trafford on Tuesday . Rafael was an unused substitute during United 's FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Arsenal on Monday . Rafael was United 's star performer in their 1-1 draw against Tottenham 's U21s at Old Trafford . Rafael is congratulated by United team-mate Tom Thorpe after scoring the eqauliser on Tuesday . But he showed no sign of rustiness in the kind of all-action display that has seen him become a cult hero at Old Trafford . In a first-half in which he , unlike fellow senior Radamel Falcao , rarely put a foot wrong Rafael brought the house down with a delightful goal . With United trailing to Kenny McEvoy 's neat opener , the defender intercepted a throw from Spurs keeper Luke McGee , chesting it down before clipping a delightful lob over the same man from 30 yards with his left foot . It brought a youthful house down - and was a timely reminder of his attacking talents in front of a watching assistant manager Ryan Giggs . United assistant manager Ryan Giggs ( second left ) and U21 Nicky Butt ( third left ) watched on in the stands . Antonio Valencia 's misplaced back pass on Monday night saw United crash out of the FA Cup . United are understood to be open to offers for Rafael with a number of clubs in his homeland said to be leading the charge . But pressure will be growing on current incumbent Antonio Valencia after his poor performance in Monday 's 2-1 home FA Cup quarter final defeat to Arsenal . Rafael will have done his cause no harm , although remaining on the field for 90 minutes would not appear to be a good omen . If nothing else , he may well have earned himself a stay of execution as Van Gaal 's search for a winning formula rumbles on .
Brazilian defender played 90 minutes against Tottenham U21s on Tuesday . Rafael was unused substitute against Arsenal in FA Cup on Monday . United remain open to offers for 24-year-old right-back . Radamel Falcao also played in 1-1 draw at Old Trafford .