Two players who will be at Old Trafford next season are Fabio and Rafael Silva, the 17-year-old Brazilian twins. After a lengthy courtship, United have secured an agreement to sign both players from Fluminese after they reach their 18th birthday in July, a deal helped by an unofficial partnership struck between the clubs in 2005. Ronaldo is reported to have encouraged them to sign for United, telling them that it is “a tremendous club and a wonderful place to play football”. They, like Ferguson, will hope he is as good as his word.
