Manchester United 'v' Inter Milan 13th March 2009 Champions League Pictures

Walter Henrique Da Silva

Manchester United are determined to land £5million-rated wonderkid Walter.

The 19-year-old, who plays for Brazil's Internacional, caught United's eye in the South American Youth Championships.

The striker, full name Walter Henrique Da Silva, is seen as Brazil's next big prospect.

Meanwhile, United had representatives in the stands to see another transfer target, Neymar, make his senior debut for Santos over the weekend.




Walter Henrique da Silva

Date of birth: 22/07/1989
Place of birth: Recife, Pernambuco
Height: 1.78 Mts.
Weight: 86 Kgs.
Foot: Right
Position: Forward
Team: SC Internacional

First Steps

Walter Henrique da Silva, or just Walter as he is known, started his career with the modest São José club in Porto Alegre at the age of 14.

In 2007 though he was discovered by one of the biggest sides in the Rio Grande do Sul as Internacional moved for him. After spending a season on loan at the club, where he shone in the you teams, he was signed on a permanent deal.

The 19-year-old is a typical number nine as he has a strong physique, is powerful and can score goals at will. But as well as being a striker that likes a physical game, he has also shown how good he is technically in the build-up too.

Walter's official debut for Inter came on May 11, 2008 when he played in the Brazilian championships against Vasco da Gama in the Beira Rio stadium when he came off the bench to replace Iarley.

That same year he went on to play eleven times for the first team, starting four games, but he has yet to score his first goal at the highest level.

"He is a player with great potential, but he is still very young and will mature," former Holland international and current Manchester United scout Jaap Stam stated.


National Team

After playing a number of games in Inter's first team, Rogério Lourenço, Dunga's assistant and technical director of the Under-20 team, called Walter up to become part of the new look squad aiming to make it to the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt this year.

Walter was part of the squad that played in the youth championship in L'Alcudia in Spain in August and was named as the best player in the tournament.

He went into the South American Under-20 event in Venezuela as the key player in the Brazilian team and in his first five games he scored four goals.

Future

The South American championships could change Walter's life and, after finishing the year not playing much for Inter, what his next step would be was therefore undecided.

Following his great performances in Venezuela though, the club could now choose to cash in on the striker and sell him for a profit without ever having seen him become a regular for them.

Walter, who is represented by agent Humberto Rímolo, does have a contract until 2013, but has been tracked by several major European club, including Manchester United.

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Inter Having Injury Problems Ahead Of Manchester United Match

Inter Milan have got the same problems Manchester United had 2 weeks ago with injuries becoming an issue as they prepare to travel to Old Trafford for the second leg of the last 16 of the Champions League. Inter defenders Marco Materazzi and Nicolas Burdisso are definitely out of Wednesday's Champions League tie with Manchester United at Old Trafford. The pair were both injured during Saturday's 2-0 Serie A win at Genoa.

Italian World Cup winner Materazzi appeared to pull a muscle as he reached for the ball in the centre circle during the first half and he was soon joined in the treatment room by Burdisso, with midfielder Esteban Cambiasso forced to fill in at the back. Burdisso has a tear in the right leg and a tear in the medial ligament of the left knee, the club stated, adding that Materazzi had a left leg injury.

Fellow centre-back Walter Samuel has returned to full training but Cristian Chivu remains a doubt for Wednesday. Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli, extended their lead at the top of the table to 10 points and saw them become the first team to beat Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris this season. However, the injuries were a high price to pay with Wednesday's last-16 second leg lurking. The first game at the Giuseppe Meazza finished goalless.....Back To Home Page...