Manchester United - Rafael

Rafael was born in Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, and is very much a modern full-back; he loves to bombard down the right flank - but he's not all just Brazilian flair, he's made of tough stuff.

Rafael, who like his twin brother Fabio is a Brazilian youth international, was a somewhat surprise inclusion in the Reds' starting line-up at Peterborough on 4 August 2008 in Barry Fry's testimonial match. Talk about taking your chance when it comes. Sir Alex described the 18-year-old's performance as "a sensation".

Finally, it was the end of one long journey from his former Brazilian club Fluminense, and the start of a new one with United.
What made Rafael's debut all the more startling was that he hadn't played for over a year. The Reds had been waiting for international clearance on the pair's transfer from Brazil, so they had been unable to play for United during that time and, in fact, didn't play any regular competitive football.

You would never have guessed it. Rafael was tearing up and down the right touchline - perhaps exerting 12 months of frustration - throwing himself into tackles and getting forward to aid United's attacks in equal measure.

"It was a real eye opener for us," said a beaming Sir Alex. "He hadn't played for a year but he's played a full 90 minutes today. You know what football is like. Sometimes it turns up some star, a little nugget maybe. On the evidence of tonight I think we've got a good player here."

Both brothers were spotted by Les Kershaw, then Academy Manager, in the summer of 2005 while playing for Fluminense in a Hong Kong youth tournament. The patience shown to wait for this chance with United suggests that Rafael will be undaunted by the challenges ahead, and his ten-minute cameo on his competitive debut against Newcastle appeared to back up that claim, as did his first goal in a red shirt - a stunning last-minute volley in the defeat at Arsenal in November 2008.

He quickly began stringing together top-level performances, displacing fit-again club captain Gary Neville and England international Wes Brown at various stages of the campaign. Rafael has coped with high pressure matches with a calm which belies his tender years, indicating that a very bright future awaits this young man.

Sir Alex Ferguson clearly sees the Brazilian as a big part of his future plans, and he handed Rafael a two-year contract extension before the defender had even completed his first season in England. “Everyone at the club has been very impressed and excited by his first year as a professional," said the United manager, before adding: "His enthusiasm and the adventurous way he plays is typical of a Manchester United player."

Rafael ended his debut season with a nomination for the PFA Young Player of the Year award, and a place on the bench in the Champions League final, just a year after watching from the stands in Moscow.

PROFILE:Birthdate: 09 Jul 1990
Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Position: Right back
Appearances: 31
Goals: 1
Joined United: 01 Jul 2008
United Debut: 17 Aug 2008 v Newcastle (H)
International Brazil