Da Silva Lining

Alex Ferguson intimated before the game with Aalborg on Tuesday evening that he would play his strongest available line-up for the match. That he then picked Rafael Da Silva as his first choice right back speaks volumes for the 18-year-old.

And it seems he is there largely on merit.

Whilst Gary Neville has a slight injury, most would have expected the Scot to go for the experience of Wes Brown for this potentially tricky away tie. Manchester United desperately needed three points after drawing their first game in the Champions League but Ferguson was prepared to play the relatively inexperienced but hugely talented Brazilian twin.

For my part, I’d play him every week, as I have never seen a surer thing at 18 years of age. Make no mistake, this lad is the most real of deals. In three games for United he doesn’t seem to have given the ball away once. His touch, speed and reading of the game illustrates perfectly the maxim that ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’.

Against Middlesbrough in the Carling Cup last week he did the defending part proficiently but also got forward at every opportunity, creating chance after chance in the same manner as the excellent Evra down the left.

He even had time to execute the sort of impossible back-heel that would have Eric Cantona green with envy. If he can continue at this level he will be impossible to exclude from the team. And Rafael has found the perfect manager in Ferguson – a man who has never been afraid to blood a youngster if he is of the standard required.

Age is but a number to the Scot.

Da Silva once again impressed in the match with Aalborg, offering an excellent attacking outlet as well as ensuring a clean sheet in a solid victory. His confidence was patent: he was never afraid to shoot for goal – and was close to opening his account on a couple of occasions – and came forward at any opportunity, assisting in Manchester United’s numerous forays forward.

Despite his youthfulness, it seems certain Da Silva will become another Old Trafford success. The sky is the limit for Rafael.