Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes that Bayern Munich ‘pressured’ referee Nicola Rizzoli to send off Rafael Da Silva in their Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.
Despite a 3-2 victory on the night, United were eliminate as the Germans advanced to the semi-finals due to the away-goals rule after the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate.
United had a 3-0 lead with Nani netting twice and Darron Gibson rewarded Sir Alex Ferguson’s trust in him with a goal less than five minutes in.
However, after Ivica Olic immediately got Bayern on the board following Nani’s second goal, Rafael was given a second yellow early in the second half.
Fletcher believes that Rizzoli would not have dismissed the young Brazilian had the Bayern players not complained.
"He was pressured into giving it by the Bayern Munich players, everyone can see that," Fletcher told Sky Sports.
"He decided he wasn't going to give it, then he was pressured into it.
"He's (Rafael) young and he'll learn from it. He's got a great future ahead of him and he's going to be a great player and a big asset for Manchester United.
"He'll bounce back, he's a strong character."
Arjen Robben scored the deciding goal on a spectacular volley with twenty minutes to play, tying the aggregate at 4-4 and earning his side a spot in the last four by way of scoring more away goals.
Bayern will take on French side Lyon, who advanced despite losing to Bordeaux 1-0 on Wednesday, in the semi-finals.
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