Manchester United player profile - Rafael da Silva

Rafael Pereira da Silva more widely known as Rafael da Silva or simply Rafael, Manchester United and Brazil footballer, was born on 09 July 1990 in Petropolis, near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rafael da Silva was a twin and along with his footballing brother Fabio began to play football at a very early age. As an eleven year old Rafael da Silva was spotted by Brazilian club Fluminense who asked him and his brother to play for the club which they did. Rafael da Silva progressed with Fluminense where he played at a youth and then professional level. Whilst playing in a youth tournament in Hong Kong in 2005 Rafael da Silva and his brother first came to the attention of Manchester United who then contacted Fluminense to seek permission for both Rafael da Silva and his brother to come to England to train with the club.

Rafael da Silva and his brother were starting to be noticed by some of Europe's bigger clubs amongst others Arsenal and Real Madrid who were reportedly interested in the twins. It was in February 2007 that Fluminense agreed a deal for Rafael da Silva and his brother to join Premier League side Manchester United, however, they did not actualy move to Manchester until January 2008. Rafael da Silva and his twin brother were then unable to play for Manchester United until they were 18 years of age in July 2008 when they officially signed for the club. Approximately one month after Rafael da Silva's eighteenth birthday on 04 August 2008 he made his first appearance for the club in a pre-season friendly against Peterborough United. The competitive debut of Rafael da Silva then came on the opening day of the 2008/09 season when he came on as a substitute against Newcastle United.

Rafael da Silva's first start for Manchester United came on 23 September 2008 in a third round League Cup match against Middlesborough, one week later he played in his first Champions League fixture in a match against Aalborg BK, and, Rafael da Silva's first Premier League start came on 18 October 2008 in a 4-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. On 08 November 2008 Rafael da Silva scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 2-1 away defeat at the hands of Arsenal. The first time Rafael da Silva started a match with his twin brother Fabio was on 19 April 2009 in an FA Cup semi final loss against Everton.