Sir Alex Ferguson could barelycontain his excitement on Monday night after witnessing a debut toremember by Brazilian defender Rafael Da Silva.
Theyoung right-back played the full 90 minutes of United's friendly win atPeterborough and did enough to suggest a competitive debut may not betoo far away. His brother Fabio also impressed, at left-back, aftercoming on for Patrice Evra at half-time.
Sir Alex told MUTV's Stewart Gardner, "The young players were fantastic and young Rafael the right-back was a sensation for me.
"Ithought it was a real eye opener for us. He hadn't played for a yearbut he's played a full 90 minutes today. His brother Fabio has played45 minutes and he's also done well so we're really pleased by theircontribution."
When asked if the Da Silva twins' integration will be gradual, Sir Alex responded intriguingly:
"Youknow what football's like. Sometimes it turns up some star, some littlenugget maybe. On the evidence of tonight I think we have got a goodplayer here."
The Da Silvas look set for an Old Trafford debutas early as this Wednesday, when Juventus provide the opposition forUnited's final pre season friendly.
"The squad we've got heretonight (at Peterborough) will play on Wednesday," confirmed Sir Alex,while "Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville will also be involved."
Withmidfielders Anderson, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves plus strikerWayne Rooney still unavailable, Wednesday could see Darron Gibson makeyet another
pre season appearance following his wonder strike against Peterborough.
"We'vebeen saying to him all summer, with the power he's got, he should bestriking more," said Sir Alex. "The evidence is there for you now. Hehas fantastic feet."
As for whether Gibson will stay at Unitedthis season, or go out on loan again as he did to Wolves last term, theReds manager commented:
"At the moment we need all our playersbecause we have some issues with Rooney and Carrick having this virus,Hargreaves is not back yet, Anderson's at the Olympics, so we're just alittle bit tight in terms of availability. So they will all stay at themoment." |
發表於 2008-8-6 06:57 PM
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