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PAUL Parker knows exactly what will be going through the minds of Gary Neville and Wes Brown this week.
The former United defender watched Tuesday's Champions League win over Aalborg with an overwhelming sense of deja vu.
While Neville watched back in Manchester, Brown got a closer look from the sidelines of a young Brazilian who announced himself as a clear and present danger to the established order at Old Trafford.
So impressive was Rafael Da Silva's rampaging performance in Denmark that it even overshadowed Dimitar Berbatov's first goals for United.
Imaginations have been stimulated as to just what the 18-year-old might achieve but Parker has been in the boots of Neville and Brown and says they won't totally share the excitement surrounding Sir Alex Ferguson's latest discovery.
Parker himself was the victim of Neville's emergence in 1995, eventually being pushed out of the club when he failed to regain his right-back position following injury.
He says Neville and Brown will be feeling exactly the same pressure from Da Silva.
"It is not a good feeling," he said. "I understood when I left the club, but when I was there it was very difficult.
"You feel bitterness and jealousy you wouldn't be human if you didn't think like that.
"I'd been around for five seasons and all the success I'd had in my career came at United. Then all of a sudden you get injured and can't get your place back.
"Football is all about taking advantage of situations, which is what Gary did when I was injured. He grabbed it with both hands. I did the same when I was coming through at Fulham at 17 years of age.
"He went from strength to strength, took my spot at United and became a regular for them and England.
"Gary has been there for so long and had so much joy, but now he's got two players to compete against.
"After being a part of the team that amount of time, it is not nice when suddenly you are not."
Impressive
Parker eventually left United in 1996, going on to play for Derby, Fulham and Chelsea, but never rediscovering the form of his Old Trafford years.
As impressive as Da Silva has looked so far, Parker is not ready to proclaim him the natural successor to Neville or Brown just yet.
He believes the teenager, whose twin Fabio plays at left-back, is far from the finished article.
"He showed what his strength is and that is going forward," said Parker. "But the boss will have to talk to him about defending.
"He is a bit impetuous. It is a plus to have a lad at that age who likes to go forward. British defenders are taught first and foremost to defend.
"Against better opposition than Aalborg, you will find out more about him positionally. I am sure he got a lot of pats on the back, but Sir Alex will know one good game doesn't make a career.
"He likes defenders who can sense danger. He's got that with Neville and Brown, and he had to teach Patrice Evra about that.
"When you are at United, you know teams are going to have a real go at you and if you can't defend, you will be found out."
As impressive as Da Silva was against Aalborg, he is unlikely to start against Blackburn tomorrow.
But Parker believes Neville and Brown will know they have now have a genuine three-way fight for the right-back berth.
"Gary is Mr Dependable and Wes has had a full season, winning the league, Champions League and playing regularly for England," he added.
"But there is a battle now. Gary will know he is fighting with Wes for the first-team spot, but both will be looking over their shoulders at a young Brazilian who is more talented, has a better touch and is more likely to score.
"The question is, how good is he at defending?
"He needs experience and you only get that from playing in the biggest matches.
"But Gary and Wes will know he might come through and surpass them."
The former United defender watched Tuesday's Champions League win over Aalborg with an overwhelming sense of deja vu.
While Neville watched back in Manchester, Brown got a closer look from the sidelines of a young Brazilian who announced himself as a clear and present danger to the established order at Old Trafford.
So impressive was Rafael Da Silva's rampaging performance in Denmark that it even overshadowed Dimitar Berbatov's first goals for United.
Imaginations have been stimulated as to just what the 18-year-old might achieve but Parker has been in the boots of Neville and Brown and says they won't totally share the excitement surrounding Sir Alex Ferguson's latest discovery.
Parker himself was the victim of Neville's emergence in 1995, eventually being pushed out of the club when he failed to regain his right-back position following injury.
He says Neville and Brown will be feeling exactly the same pressure from Da Silva.
"It is not a good feeling," he said. "I understood when I left the club, but when I was there it was very difficult.
"You feel bitterness and jealousy you wouldn't be human if you didn't think like that.
"I'd been around for five seasons and all the success I'd had in my career came at United. Then all of a sudden you get injured and can't get your place back.
"Football is all about taking advantage of situations, which is what Gary did when I was injured. He grabbed it with both hands. I did the same when I was coming through at Fulham at 17 years of age.
"He went from strength to strength, took my spot at United and became a regular for them and England.
"Gary has been there for so long and had so much joy, but now he's got two players to compete against.
"After being a part of the team that amount of time, it is not nice when suddenly you are not."
Impressive
Parker eventually left United in 1996, going on to play for Derby, Fulham and Chelsea, but never rediscovering the form of his Old Trafford years.
As impressive as Da Silva has looked so far, Parker is not ready to proclaim him the natural successor to Neville or Brown just yet.
He believes the teenager, whose twin Fabio plays at left-back, is far from the finished article.
"He showed what his strength is and that is going forward," said Parker. "But the boss will have to talk to him about defending.
"He is a bit impetuous. It is a plus to have a lad at that age who likes to go forward. British defenders are taught first and foremost to defend.
"Against better opposition than Aalborg, you will find out more about him positionally. I am sure he got a lot of pats on the back, but Sir Alex will know one good game doesn't make a career.
"He likes defenders who can sense danger. He's got that with Neville and Brown, and he had to teach Patrice Evra about that.
"When you are at United, you know teams are going to have a real go at you and if you can't defend, you will be found out."
As impressive as Da Silva was against Aalborg, he is unlikely to start against Blackburn tomorrow.
But Parker believes Neville and Brown will know they have now have a genuine three-way fight for the right-back berth.
"Gary is Mr Dependable and Wes has had a full season, winning the league, Champions League and playing regularly for England," he added.
"But there is a battle now. Gary will know he is fighting with Wes for the first-team spot, but both will be looking over their shoulders at a young Brazilian who is more talented, has a better touch and is more likely to score.
"The question is, how good is he at defending?
"He needs experience and you only get that from playing in the biggest matches.
"But Gary and Wes will know he might come through and surpass them."
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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