After Rafael’s impressive display against Wigan last week, as well Fabio being one of the few to give a good account of himself against Leeds, Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed the two Brazilian teenagers are likely to be our first choice full-backs in five years time.
“Rafael was outstanding against Wigan and showed fantastic energy and desire,” said Ferguson. “We’ve always thought highly of Rafael and his brother. You couldn’t split them in looks or ability – they’re equally good and it’s impossible to tell the difference without seeing the numbers on their shorts! Patrice Evra is a terrific example for them, but then again you can’t set Brazilians any targets. There’s every possibility they’ll be our first-choice full-backs in five years.”
Man Utd News 24/7
i think rafael could be right back sooner than five years, fabio has more of a problem with patrice being the best left back in the world though
hopefully rafeal stays fit for the remainder of the season and gets to have a run in the team.
Fabio has had some poor games this season so i think he may take some time especially with Paddy being there but the right back slot is very much up for grabs and so far Rafael is looking good. What impressed me against Wigan was his defending, he is good going forward but his defending has been found wanting at times. Against Wigan he was brilliant defensively as well as going forward.
nah.. evra would still be no 1 in the next 6 years
Great news..The lads have great potential but still need a lot of improvement !! Rafael, particularly, sometimes forgets he’s a defender.. 5 years is a good time for them to reach their peak..
A sum up of all the lads on loan this season:
http://wazzasaidso.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/a-quick-look-at-the-youngsters-out-on-loan/
Fabio has a very hard task following on from Evra.
Evra is the best in the world in my opinion
I would say that Rafael -barring any long term injury should be the 1st choice rb within 2 yrs.as for Fabio its harder with evra there.
But does the fact that Fergie said 5 years mean that he could possibly be looking at a more experienced rb for now with Neville on his last legs!
Will the twins be patient enough to wait 5 more years?
I think the future is now, especially for Rafa. I thinki Fergie gives them 5 years tops. He should be there sooner.
Fingers crossed.
Just because Evra is the “sitting left back” doesn’t mean that he is blocking Fabio’s way into the first-team. Really, it doesn’t seem like rocket science to play the two of them at the same time – Evra isn’t really a defensive full-back and Fabio has the speed, skill, and desire to play on the left: either up-front or in the more defensive role. Furthermore, as long as Patrice is in the team, the notion of a “full back” is, well, notional. Evra often plays ahead of the left-sided midfielder. So, it doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch to re-jig their roles. Given the paucity of product from the left wing, that could come sooner rather than later.
@denton davey:
That’s actually a very good idea. Evra and Fabio could compliment each other quite well. Besides, other than Giggsy, we don’t have a legitimate plab B for the left wing. All the other wingers are right footed players. Evra did play a couple of games ahead of Mikael Silvestre at the start of the 07-08 season.
Fabio definitely have a chance against Evra.
As much as i love Evra he would be hitting 30 year old soon.
so Fabio definitely have age on his side.
I don’t think the Da Silvas would take 5 years to establish
themselve in the first 11.
Evra & Fabio bombing the left flank, any takers?
I think Fabio is in a good position, who else to learn from than from the best left back in the world?
the problem with rafeal and fabio is their physical condition, I think 3 years tops they will be first team players. at the moment they do pick up a lot of injurys because of their size and especially the premiership has battering rams but come 20 21 they will be in the team every week.
@ denton
I’ve always thought that playing two attacking full backs on the same wing was the way forward, with complete rotation as one bombs on and one fills in. I thought Wenger had cracked it a while back with Sagna and Eboue but as it turns out, the comical Ivorian couldn’t hack it.
Would like to see it in the Carling Cup.
@ Marq
We tried the ‘Evra-as-LW’ before and it didn’t work, notbaly because the man behind him was Silvestre (who was, more often than not, utter $hite at LB). Evra ended up doing two jobs simultaneously, in effect.
However, with someone more solid behind him, I can see how it would work this time ’round, although I don’t think SAF would try it given we have Giggsy, Nani, Obertan and Valencia on the books.
As for the topic; as has been said, Rafael’s path is easier than Fabio’s, but I think 3 years is probably more realistic in any case
Seems like a bleeding stupid thing to say but never mind. Rafael is ready now because fucked if I know who is better at OT at the moment at RB. Evra is a cert but he cant play every game if we continue to be a force in all competitions (little titter after the leeds debicle), and Fabio can also fill at RB so why say 5 years. As far as Im concerened theyre the only players at the moment showing any consistancy and commitment.
Bolox to 5 years, they want to get into the Brazil squad, they wont wait that long.
5 years?? are we giving Red Nev another 5yr contract, if you’re good enough your old enough!!
I just love the energy and fight these guys bring to the side.
East Stand Manc – Alright mate. Ain’t seen you on here for ages. How are you?
Great prospect, both of them. I hope they continue to improve their defensive capabilites because they are a couple of talents!
Rafeal certainly should be first choice now! Him and Valencia have already got an understanding. As soon as O’shea is fit he will walk back into the side. Fergie tends to stick to experience rather than form. O’shea is pants!
Rick – I disagree. We have missed O ‘Shea.
King Eric – Watching the game at Anfield the pair were not on the same wavelength! I think we have missed O’shea in respect that we have been short of defenders but I would stick with Rafael as he plays well alongside Valencia. O’shea is clumsy, very sluggish on the ball.
Aright King Eric? I’ve been a bit busy recently between work and a part-time teacher training course I’m on. Basically I only have time to skim through articles these days!
Hope you’re keeping well pal.
i would like to see fabio play on the left wing either in the league cup our pre season. I reckon he would be good there
They need more experience in united and with brazil. Also, they need to improve their defence as they foul a lot of the time.
Both playing at the same time? They aren’t blessed in the height department so I hope their positioning develops and they don’t get caught out by high balls – Many teams tried this tactic to test the best left back in the world and failed comprehensively.
Based on performances / form I’d say Rafael is closer to first-team action than his brother. He also seems more confident in his ability. Maybe with injuries finally behind him Fabio will get a run out in the team and show us why is he rated higher than Rafael.
I think Fergie is spot on however their injury record slightly worries me. The lads have been unfortunite with injuries the whole tim they have been with us hopefully something they grow out of.
Some have highlighted some mistakes they have made what we have to remember is that all young players of that age make mistakes which they learn from. This normaly happens in academy or reserve games where it is not so much in the fans eye. Because these lads are very very talented they are gaining this experience in the first team!.. We all all have to accept that from time to time these pair will make unbeleiveable mistakes, get caught out of posision & Missplace passes but will learn from these!
With regards to Evra if he ever hinted that he wanted to leave i dont think fergie or whoever the manger was at that time would fight as much knowing he had fabio or raf waiting to take his slot. In 5 years time there may not be any difference in either player so it wouldnt make any difference to the team In addition getting 15 or 20 mill or maybe more to boast the transfer kitty!.
Who knows what the future brings all i do know is that wit the youth at united the future is bright thats for sure!
@Andrew
With regards to Fabio and Raf and Fabio rated higher. In the previous under 18 world cup Both Fabio and Raf played for Brazil. I cant remember if brazil won it but Fabio captained the team and finished the competition as not only Brazils leading scorer but the leading scorer for the whole comp and this was from left back as well……… Impressive!
“viva da silva,
viva da silva,
running down the pitch,
dont know which is which, viva da silva!”
hope this one really starts getting an airing on a regular basis.
Yes Trevor I did read about that. I should go look at some highlight videos from that competition!
Does he take freekicks as well? Aww its very refreshing to have attacking fullbacks come up the ranks for a change.. the last to come out must be Evans (great), O’Shea (not so great) and further back you’d have to look at Brown and the Nevilles.
The future is bright
They are such great players and will be the future at united, i agree that Rafael is more likely to first choice at the moment with patrice being so strong and taking Fabio’s place but he has had quite a few games this season
PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE http://rafaelandfabio.webs.com/ has loads more pictures than any other site on the web
Thanks