Rafael Pereira da Silva

Profile Football Stars | Rafael Pereira da Silva | Upon joining Fluminese, Rafael was converted to play at full back by the youth team coach. The club then took part in the 2005 Nike Premier Cup in Hong Kong, where Rafael was spotted by Manchester United scout Les Kershaw, WHO remarked That reminded him of the twins "two little whippets". Kershaw then telephoned Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson and recommended That the club sign the Da Silva twins. Manchester United got in touch with Fluminense and asked permission for the twins to travel to Manchester to train with them in 2005. Rafael Pereira da Silva, commonly known as Rafael or Rafael da Silva, is a Brazilian footballer WHO plays for Manchester United.

The twins Decided to sign for Manchester United, and a deal was Agreed Between the two clubs in February 2007. Rafael made his first appearance for the club in a 2-0 friendly win over Peterborough United on 4 August. Rafael made his competitive debut for Manchester United on the opening day of the 2008-09 Premier League season, Replacing Fraizer Campbell in their 1-1 home draw Newcastle United on 17 August. Rafael's first start for Manchester United on 23 September CAME in their 3-1 home victory over Middlesbrough in the Third Round of the League Cup. Rafael made his first Premier League start in Manchester United's 4-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion on 18 October.

On 8 November, Rafael scored his first goal for Manchester United, netting a 90th minute goal a 2-1 defeat Consolation to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. On 19 April 2009, in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton, Rafael and his twin brother, Fábio, started a match together for Manchester United for the first time. However, United lost the match 4-2 on Penalties. In recognition of his first season in English Successful football, Rafael was handed a two-year extension to his Manchester United contract, tying him to the club until 2013.

On 27 October 2009, Fábio, Rafael's twin brother, was booked for a foul committed by Rafael in United's 2-0 League Cup victory over Barnsley. Manchester United appealed and the FA Agreed it was a case of mistaken identity, transferring the card over to Rafael. On 30 December, Rafael scored the second goal of his Manchester United career and the first at Old Trafford in a 5-0 league win over Wigan Athletic. Rafael collided with Blackpool's Marlon Harewood during the second half the which resulted in 10 minutes of stoppage time and forced Rafael out of United's FA Cup tie away to Southampton on 29 January. A game the which United lost 2-1 in extra time.

In 2007, Rafael played for Brazil's national under-17 team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. He was approached by Portuguese national coach Carlos Queiroz and asked to play for Portugal's senior side, as both Rafael and Fábio hold Portuguese citizenship.

Personal information
Full name Rafael Pereira da Silva
Date of birth 9 July 1990 (age 21)
Place of birth Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position Right back Right winger

Club information
Current club Manchester United
Number 21

Youth career
Fluminense 2005-2008

Senior career
years Team
2008 - Manchester United 45 (2)

National team
2007 Brazil U17 12 (0)

Honours

Club

Manchester United
     Premier League (2): 2008-09, 2010-11
     Football League Cup (1): 2009-10
     FA Community Shield (2): 2008, 2011
     FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008

International

Brazil U-17
     South American Under-17 Football Championship (1): 2007