“I celebrated because it was a very important victory in the first game of Champions League. It’s always important to start a tournament well,” Rafael told ESPN Brasil.
“It’s City, I was an United player and I was young when I started young there.
“I consider myself a Manchester lad after playing there and I owe almost everything to United, and Fluminense as well. My professional career started there and it was great to win.”
Although the result has not had damaging affects upon City’s qualification hopes, it showed the rest of the Premier League that they’re beatable.
Man Utd news: Rafael reveals his former team-mates text him (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd news: Lyon won at the Etihad in September (Image: GETTY)
Man Utd news: Darren Fletcher was one of the players that text Rafael (Image: GETTY)
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Rafael then revealed that he received some text messages from former Man United team mates after the triumph.
"They congratulated me for the win," Rafael explained.
"We have a WhatsApp group and they sent messages.
"Fletcher sent me one on behalf of the players who I'm still friends with.