Two Brazilian twins made the giant and largely untrodden step to Manchester in 2008 as bright-eyed and bushy tailed 18 year olds.
Rafael and Fabio Da Silva hadn’t even made an appearance for Fluminense first team when Sir Alex Ferguson gave the go ahead to sign the two vivacious twins from their native Brazil.
Lee Kershaw, the ex-Manchester United Academy manager found the two boys aged 15 playing in a Nike tournament in Hong Kong and persuaded the United hierachy to take a more in depth look.
For the next three years they came to Carrington every few months before ultimately moving their family over in 2008.
It was Fabio who joined as the biggest star as he had captain the U17 Brazil signed at the World Cup the previous year. However the teenager found himself on the fringes from the beginning with the in form Patrice Evra blocking his path to the first team. Rafael had it little easier with the aging Gary Neville and Wes Brown, Ferguson saw him as the natural successor.
Their endearing love for Ferguson who called them ‘excellent footballers’ is their for all to see, a revealing letter sent from Rafael to his brother after the former left for Lyon this summer left you enchanted with their child-like enthusiasm for the game.
Rafael seemed to feature more heavily in United’s plans as the seasons went on as Fabio firstly was loaned out to Queens Park Rangers and then joined Cardiff City who were then coached by ex-United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2014. However, he has managed to pin down the left back slot for the Championship club for the last two seasons and under manager Russell Slade has made five league appearances this season.
Old Trafford was perhaps too much of stage to work on for the Brazilian at such a young age but a sustained run in a promotion chasing Cardiff City team could be the platform he needs.
As one of the most conclusive parts read;
“Those first days were the best, weren’t they? The flight over, the sleepless nights that followed… what an adventure it all was. Mum always used to say that twins are born lucky, but God really must have taken a shine to you and me.”
However Rafael was also very reflective on their time in Manchester as he admitted some may say they failed at Old Trafford, suggesting they could have defended better or been fitter, but as the brothers are now both moving on to pastures new, the one thing that they both agreed on is they did it their way, their own ebullient and devoted way. Their passion and zeal for playing football and for Manchester United couldn’t and shouldn’t be questioned.
And who knows if Fabio continues to show the fight and determination that has characterised the twins in their time in England then you might find himself back in the ‘big time’ sooner rather than later.
