Rafael: 'Rio Ferdinand has been a good friend to
us'.
Fabio: 'Senhor Alex' has become a father
figure.
Manchester United's exciting young Brazilian defenders
Fabio and Rafael da Silva have revealed they turned down the chance
to join Arsenal.
The teenage twins played in United's FA Cup semi-final loss to
Everton at Wembley on Sunday, and despite the defeat have been
tipped to be Old Trafford regulars for the next decade by manager
Sir Alex Ferguson.
And in their first interview since joining the club from
Fluminense, the 18-year-olds have revealed that Arsenal and Real
Madrid also tried to sign them two years ago.
Fabio - left back at Wembley - said: 'Arsenal were interested
and we also spoke to Madrid. But we chose United because they
worked very hard and everyone knows them.
'And Senhor Alex (Ferguson) has always been very supportive of
us. He likes to know what people are like, both on and off the
field.'
'Senhor Alex' has already become a father figure to them - 'He
jokes around with us,' added Fabio - while Sunday's captain Rio
Ferdinand has also played a role in their assimiliation at Old
Trafford. Rafael said: 'Rio is a great friend of ours. He has been
great. He's the biggest joker of them all.'
The Da Silvas' introduction to the United first team looks
seamless but it belies the difficulties of their arrival. The two
were banned from playing by the Fluminense president when he
learned of their desire to move to England, while Fabio admits he
even married his girlfriend earlier than planned in order for her
to be granted citizenship in the UK.
The wedding band on Fabio's finger is how Ferguson tells the
twins apart, and Fabio added: 'I got married six months ago. She's
called Barbara and is 17. We got married so she could come
here.
'We miss everything from home. The heat, the culture, the
people, the humour, playing football and volleyball on the beach.
'But it's worth it because this is the best league.'