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In a summer in which bizarrely, given our phenomenal achievements last season, we’ve been bombarded with almost relentless negativity, there has at least been one positive surprise story.
Avid United fans had heard some time ago about the two Brazilian twins we had recruited, but nobody expected either of them to make much of an immediate impact.
Rafael da Silva’s energetic, attacking displays at right-back (wing-back) in the friendlies against Peterborugh on Monday and Juventus last night were a revelation and given Gary Neville’s niggling injury problems a source of inspiration for the season ahead.
On paper Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, born on July 9, 1990 in Rio de Janeiro, seem an improbably ‘perfect’ combo - young, aggressive, strong, skilful, fearless. One (Rafael) a right back come right wing back and the other (Fabio) a left-back come wing-back à la Patrica Evra.
Although Wes Brown and Gary Neville will be difficult to replace in the short term, Rafael Da Silva looks like a serious long-term prospect for the Reds.
In the meantime Ferguson can rest easy in the knowledge that Rafael Da Silva is already up-to-scratch for Premier League and European football. It’s easy to get carried away on the basis of an exotic name and a couple of youthfully exuberant run outs, but make no mistake: he’sthat good.
Da Silva’s strength lies in his attacking instincts and his clever feet - almost as clever as Evra’s on the other wing. Like Evra in his earlier years, Da Silva may have to spend some time honing the defensive aspects of his game - but how better to do that than to look along the line and learn from the game-reading and composure of Rio Ferdinand and the aggression and pre-emptive tactics of Nemanja Vidic.
We’re not sure how much United forked out for these two, but a pair of Da Silvas certainly costs less than a single Dani Alves - and this surely has to be the strategy United should adopt more and more over the coming years.
We’re avidly looking forward to seeing a lot more of this kid in the next few years.
Avid United fans had heard some time ago about the two Brazilian twins we had recruited, but nobody expected either of them to make much of an immediate impact.
Rafael da Silva’s energetic, attacking displays at right-back (wing-back) in the friendlies against Peterborugh on Monday and Juventus last night were a revelation and given Gary Neville’s niggling injury problems a source of inspiration for the season ahead.
On paper Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, born on July 9, 1990 in Rio de Janeiro, seem an improbably ‘perfect’ combo - young, aggressive, strong, skilful, fearless. One (Rafael) a right back come right wing back and the other (Fabio) a left-back come wing-back à la Patrica Evra.
Although Wes Brown and Gary Neville will be difficult to replace in the short term, Rafael Da Silva looks like a serious long-term prospect for the Reds.
In the meantime Ferguson can rest easy in the knowledge that Rafael Da Silva is already up-to-scratch for Premier League and European football. It’s easy to get carried away on the basis of an exotic name and a couple of youthfully exuberant run outs, but make no mistake: he’sthat good.
Da Silva’s strength lies in his attacking instincts and his clever feet - almost as clever as Evra’s on the other wing. Like Evra in his earlier years, Da Silva may have to spend some time honing the defensive aspects of his game - but how better to do that than to look along the line and learn from the game-reading and composure of Rio Ferdinand and the aggression and pre-emptive tactics of Nemanja Vidic.
We’re not sure how much United forked out for these two, but a pair of Da Silvas certainly costs less than a single Dani Alves - and this surely has to be the strategy United should adopt more and more over the coming years.
We’re avidly looking forward to seeing a lot more of this kid in the next few years.