Youngsters Steal The Show As Sir Alex Gets One Over On Ferguson Jr.

Posted by nickogs20 on August 5, 2008 For

'United Youth'.

The United side named to face Peterborough

at London Road last night included international

stars and household names Rio Ferdinand, Carlos

Tévez, Nani, Patrice Evra and Wes Brown, and

yet it was a number of players whom the majority

of spectators would have been much less fam-

iliar with that caught the eye and earned the plaudits in the Reds’ 2-0 win.

Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough side arguably shaded the first-half against

his father’s United eleven, striker Aaron McLean in particular giving Ferdin-

and and Brown a real test while the Posh back four held firm against the threat

posed by the ever-lively Tévez. One player in a red shirt did stand out though -

right-back Rafael da Silva. The 18-year old was available for selection for the

first time after being granted international clearance to play, and Sir Alex duly

handed the Brazilian a debut from the start..... More

Danny Simpson And Rafael

Fergie has allowed Danny Simpson to go to Blackburn on a 12 month loan
and is busy now singing the praises of Rafael, the Brazilian right back who
made his debut Wednesday.

Fergie, as usual, took care of the small details ensuring Simpson can't play
against United. With Blackburn though, he will continue his development,
but Ferguson may already have found a younger, more exciting long-term
replacement for Gary Neville.

Rafael, who arrived at the club with his twin brother Fabio from Fluminense,
played the full 90 minutes of United's 2-0 friendly win at Peterborough and
did enough to suggest a competitive debut may not be too far away.

His brother Fabio also impressed, at left-back, after coming on for Patrice Evra at
half-time.

Ferguson said: "The young players were fantastic and young Rafael the right-back
was a sensation for me.

"I thought it was a real eye opener for us. He hadn't played for a year but he's
played a full 90 minutes today. His brother Fabio has played 45 minutes and he's
also done well so we're really pleased by their contribution."

"You know what football's like. Sometimes it turns up some star, some little
nugget maybe. On the evidence of tonight I think we have got a good player here,"
he said.

"The squad we've got here tonight (at Peterborough) will play on Wednesday,"

"Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville will also be involved."