Manchester United defender Rafael Da Silva has been ruled out of the fourth round FA Cup tie this weekend after suffering from concussion.

Rafael clashed heads with Blackpool's Marlon Harewood during last nights game, he had to be stretchered off and taken to the local hospital for x-rays. Fortunately the injury isn't as serious as first feared, he was quickly given the all-clear and returned to Manchester with his team mates.

Sir Alex Ferguson told ManUtd.com: "It's a straightforward one. He has concussion and will miss Saturday's game."

Danny Welbeck so far this season has had a very successful time on loan at Sunderland, which as lead to him being linked with a permanent move to the Stadium of Light. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has rubbished these reports.

After selling Darren Bent to Aston Villa, Sunderland will be looking for a replacement but that will not be Welbeck.

Sir Alex said: “Steve (Bruce) has as much chance of getting me.

“It is unfortunate Danny will be out for six weeks because he was playing so well.

“He has shown fantastic form and he is only 20.

“He has a long way to go yet but the signs are good for him.”

Today, Rafael Da Silva has been fined and warned about his future behaviour after accepting the FA’s improper conduct charge. Rafael was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in the 0-0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

A statement released by the FA read:

At an Independent regulatory Commission hearing today, Manchester United’s Rafael Da Silva was fined £8,000 and warned as to his future conduct.

Rafael admitted a charge of improper conduct relating to his behaviour towards match official Mike Dean following his sending off in Manchester United’s game against Tottenham Hotspur on 16 January 2011.

Rafael wasn't given any further punishment, which means that he will only miss the game against Birmingham City this weekend.

The nominations for Tuttosport’s Golden Boy award for best young player (up to the age of 21) have been released. Manchester United’s Rafael da Silva, Federico Macheda and Tiago Bebe have all been nominated.

The Italian sport newspaper honour the brightest talent in Europe each year. In recent years both Wayne Rooney (2004) and Anderson (2008) have won this award.

Other players from Premier League clubs named in the 40-man list are Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Gael Kakuta (Chelsea), Dani Pacheco (Liverpool), Mario Balotelli (Manchester City) and Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

For a list of all 40 nominees and to vote, click here.

We may have only just kicked off the start of the new Premier League season but Man United already have quite a few injury woes, mainly in defence.

Who Is Injured?

Officially, Man United have seven injured players but we could have eight.
Nemanja Vidic (calf strain)
Rio Ferdinand (thigh strain)
Edwin Van Der Sar (hand injury)
Gabriel Obertan (calf/shin injury)
Rafael da Silva (ankle/foot injury)
Owen Hargreaves (knee injury)
Gary Neville (groin strain)

During yesterday’s game against Birmingham Jonny Evans limped off with an injury, which now means he is a doubt for Wednesday’s game against Burnley.

The main problem is in central defence, our main two defenders are out (Ferdinand and Vidic) and it now looks like Evans is out injured. There are replacements, Wes Brown and John O’Shea can fill in but if one of them get injured, we have big problems.

I am just hoping that Evans isn’t too seriously injured and we can get either Ferdinand or Vidic back as soon as possible.

After loosing Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, Sir Alex Ferguson has said that the player is irreplaceable so instead of trying to replace him. The system is going to be changed and he is going to believe in Man United's youngsters.

“We knew we could never replace Ronaldo," Ferguson said. "When you’ve had someone who is the best at what he does, it is no good trying to find someone to do the same job."

“And when you know you can’t replace someone or something, you look for a different way. People have misread our situation and they have underestimated our ability to improve players. That is an area where we have proved successful in the past.”

So which youngsters should Man United look for in the upcoming season?

Anderson- After joining Man United in the summer of 2007, Anderson has made many first team appearances. Anderson made his debut against Sunderland on the 1st September 2007. Anderson's scored his first goal for Man United in the 2009 pre-season in the Audi Cup against Boca Juniors. Last season Anderson made 38 appearances for United, I expect him to make many more first team appearances, step up to the plate and score more goals. This could be Anderson's season.

Danny Welbeck- Welbeck is another youngster who has made a few first team appearances for Man United. We mainly see Welbeck in the Carling Cup and FA Cup but he has also played in the Premier League. Welbeck has been with United for his entire playing career and he was called up into the first team in January 2008. Welbeck made his first team debut against Al-Hilal in Sami Al-Jaber's testimonial match when he came on as a substitute for Anderson. Last season Welbeck made 13 appearances for Man United, scoring three goals. Welbeck is only 18 years old.

Darron Gibson- Since joining Man United in 2005, Gibson has go out on loan to Royal Antwerp and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Gibson was a regular for Man United's reserves during the 2005-6 season, and he did make a few appearances for the first team during the 2006-7 pre-season. Gibson made his Premier League debut on the 15th November 2008. Since then he has played in the Champion's League, FA Cup and Carling Cup. Gibson is 21 years old and last season he made 15 appearances for United, scoring three goals.

Fabio Da Silva- Fabio is 19 years old and he joined Man United in February 2007 along with his identical twin brother Rafael. Both players were unable to play for United until they turned 18 in July 2008. Fabio made his first appearance for United on the 4th August 2008 when he came on in the second half replacing Patrice Evra. Since joining Man United Fabio has picked up a shoulder injury and after recovering from that he picked up a calf injury which has kept him out of quite a few games. When Fabio has played he has shone so hopefully he can have an injury free season and show everyone what he has got. Last season Fabio made two first team appearances.

Federico Macheda- During the end of last season Macheda burst onto the first team scene after winning Man United two important matches. Macheda scored in his Man United's Under 18's debut and also his first team debut. Macheda joined Man United in 2007, he is 17 years old and Man United have high hopes for him.
Macheda made his first team debut for Man United on the 30th March 2009 in a Premier League match against Aston Villa. Man United were 2-1 down with not long to go, Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Macheda for Nani with 60 minutes gone. Cristiano Ronaldo equalised in the 80th minute and Macheda won the match for United in stoppage time. This immediately put Macheda in the spotlight.
For United's next two games Macheda was named on the bench, the first was a Champion's League match, the second was a Premier League match against Sunderland. It was against Sunderland that Macheda made his second appearance, he came on for Dimitar Berbatov. Macheda had only been on for 46 seconds and he scored Man United's winning goal, it was a lucky goal but who cares. Last season Macheda made four appearances for United, scoring two goals. I think that Macheda could have a fantastic season for United.


Jonny Evans- Evans was another youngster who had an amazing season for United last season. He is only 21 years old but he plays like he is older than that. Evans made his Manchester United debut on 26th September 2007 against Coventry City. Last season he filled in for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic if they were suspended or injured. He immediately looked comfortable and he really did impress. He made 37 appearances for United last season and it will be difficult for him this season. Ferdinand and Vidic are a strong partnership but he is making it very difficult for them and they know that if their form drops he will be straight in there.

Luis Nani- When Nani joined Man United in the summer of 2007 he was being called the next Cristiano Ronaldo. Unfortunately he has been far from that but now that Ronaldo has gone I believe he can step up and show everyone that he does have quality and talent.
Nani made his debut for United during the 2007 pre-season against Shenzhen Shangqingyin, Nani scored and Man United won 6-0. Nani also scored in the following game against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. Nani has made some great performances for United, most notably against Arsenal in the FA Cup on the 16th February 2008 but he has also had some really poor performances. Last season Nani made 31 appearances for United, scoring six goals. I expect much more from Nani this season and I think he has no choice but to perform, if he doesn't I think he could well be sold.

Rafael Da Silva- Rafael is 19 years old and he joined Man United in February 2007 along with his identical twin brother Fabio. Both brothers were unable to play for United until they turned 18 in July 2008. Rafael made his first appearance in a friendly match against Peterborough United on the 4th August 2008. Rafael has put in many impressive performances for United especially in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.
Like his brother, Rafael is highly rated and many believe that he can become one Man United's first team regulars.
Last season Rafael made 28 appearances for United, scoring one goal, which was against Arsenal.

Ritchie de Laet- The 20-year-old joined Man United from Stoke on the 8th January 2009, since joining Man United he has been playing for the reserve team. De Laet made his first appearance for the Manchester United first team on the final Premier League game of the season against Hull City on the 24th May 2009.
Last night Ritchie played for Man United against Valencia in United's one and only pre-season game at Old Trafford. He shined last night and he was my Man United's Man Of The Match. If he plays like he did last night he will be playing a few games for United over the course of next season.

Zoran Tosic- Tosic is 22-years-old and he joined Man United on the 2nd January 2009. He made his first team appearance, 22 days later on the 24th January against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup fourth round. Three days later he was playing in the Premier League when he came on in the 77th minute for Berbatov. Tosic has been a regular for Man United's reserve team and he has been very impressive.
Tosic scored his first senior goal for the club on the 26th July 2009 in an 8–2 victory over Hangzhou Greentown during Man United's pre-season campaign in Asia.
Last season Tosic made three appearances for Man United's first team but I am sure he will make more in the upcoming season.

There are other youngsters who can break through into the first team but I think the players above a more likely to shine this season when they are played. Who are your players to look out for?

Brazil legend Carlos Alberto has slammed Manchester United for poaching Brazil's young players. Alberto won the 1970 World Cup and he says Man United are 'raping' Brazilian football.

Man United have recently secured 17 year old Dodo's signature and we do have other Brazilian youngsters, for example- Anderson, Rafael, Fabio and Possebon.

It is disgraceful United are allowed to rape Brazilian football," the former Brazil captain told the News of the World.
"The big teams have the money and can take our best players. It is a big problem in Brazil. The clubs cannot keep hold of them if they are good young players because they can make much more money in other countries."

"FIFA must do something. They have an obligation to save football. If we could have conditions where we could keep these players in Brazil it would be much better for us"
"Three or four years ago clubs had to pay teams if they wanted players but now many players are owned by agents - and clubs can't afford to keep them"
"They should change the law so at least until the age of 20 or 21 the best players are playing in Brazil and get some experience before moving to Europe."

I can half understand what he is saying. Big teams should play the clubs for the players but what Man United (and other teams it isn't all Man United) is giving the youngsters a chance of a better life and their dream career.

Football is a business and if you want to be the best and earn money then you need the best players. I wouldn't be complaining if it was Brazil taking all of the English talent.

These players who are coming to England have their own mind and sometimes they need and want to provide a better life for them and their family. There is lots of money in the Premier League and Man United can do that. Doesn't mean it is right but that is the way it is.

Manchester United defender Rafael Da Silva has signed a two-year contract extension which will see him at the club upto 2013, this is fantastic news for the club. Rafael has proved to be a great defender in his first season at the club, he has had an injury or two and he is young but I honestly believe that he will become a world class defender.

The PFA Players Nominations are in and five out of the six are Manchester United players, the other is a Liverpool player.

1. Ryan Giggs

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

3. Edwin Van Der Sar

4. Rio Ferdinand

5. Nemanja Vidic

6. Steven Gerrard

I am pretty surprised that there is no Fernando Torres or Wayne Rooney but I am probably even more surprised that Cristiano Ronaldo is on the list.
United also have two players in the young players catergory:
1. Jonny Evans
2. Rafael Da Silva
3. Gabriel Agbonlahor
4. Ashley Young
5. Stephen Ireland
6. Aaron Lennon

This morning I have woken upto the news that an 'Arsenal scout' approached Rafael and Fabio da Silva when they were 15 years old. He apparently asked the defenders to fly out to London to have a trial with Arsenal behind their clubs (Fluminense) back.

At that point Fluminense had already agreed with Man United to let the boys come to Old Trafford. There is no word whether it was an official Arsenal scout or not.
There aren't any suggestions (apart from rival fans) that it was an Arsenal scout. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't, this thing will happen and it is a shame because the clubs who look after these players and nurture them should receive transfer money, in this case they did.

Rafael said: “We were not too happy with the way he [the so called scout] approached us.

"The scout said he was from Arsenal and invited us to come and train.

"At that time we had already been to see Manchester United and train once with our club’s permission.

“But this man wanted to take us to England and say nothing to Fluminense [which is totally out of order].

“We disagreed with that principle [good!]. Fluminense was where we started, we had been there for years and they looked after us.”

“It was upsetting. We could have signed there and then and taken all the money and Fluminense would have got nothing.

“But our mother said ‘No, Fluminense have been good to you. You went there when you were 11. I want you to do everything right’.

“So we said we would sign for Manchester as it would be the best thing for us and Fluminense. So we signed and ignored the man pushing Arsenal.”

It sounds like we have a lot to thank their mum for. These two defenders have the talent to become world class players and under Sir Alex, I'm sure they will be.

I have had a few emails asking me whether Wes Brown is injured. Thank you for your emails, I have replied to you but for everybody else, here is Manchester United's injury list.

United only have two injuries- Rafael da Silva, he should be back on the 21st March after suffering from an ankle injury.
The other injured player is Owen Hargreaves who should be back for the start of next season.

It doesn't look like Wes Brown is injured but you never really know.



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Ahead of Sunday's Carling Cup final, there has been a defensive blow for Manchester United. Young Brazilian Rafael Da Silva has been ruled out for a month with an ankle injury.

Rafael picked up a hamstring injury in January which kept him out for three weeks, now this ankle injury is set to keep him out for a month.

United will also be without Wes Brown and Gary Neville, may'be it will be a chance to show what Fabio has. I have only seen Fabio play once or twice but he has impressed me, both of them have and if they are the future of Manchester United, then I am happy.


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Fergie has said what most of us Man United fans have been thinking about. Why not switch the twins during half time?

Now, I am not being serious about that because it is cheating and one thing that I hate in football is the cheating (yes, that does include Cristiano Ronaldo's dives).

Fergie has said before that the only way to no the difference between Rafael and Fabio is that one of them is married (and they are only 18). It isn't known which one is married but most people believe that it is Fabio.

Fergie said:

“We have two great Brazilian defenders in Fabio and Rafael and it’s impossible to distinguish who is who.

“My dream would be to start one and replace him with the other without anyone noticing. They are extraordinary, they really adore football.”

If this did happen, although I don't think it will, nobody would know the difference. Fabio can play either left back or right back.



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