Clubs: Fluminense FC, Manchester United FC

UEFA honours
UEFA Champions League: runner-up 2011

• Scouted in 2005 while playing in a youth tournament in Hong Kong for Fluminense, Fabio da Silva officially signed for United in July 2008 shortly before turning 18 along with his identical twin, Rafael, without having played a senior game for the Brazilian club.

• Made his first appearance the following month in a pre-season friendly and stepped up to the first team for an FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur FC at Old Trafford in January 2009 (2-1).

• More exposure in 2009/10 with five top-flight outings and two in the UEFA Champions League – both against PFC CSKA Moskva in the group stage; extended his contract until 2014 on 1 April.

• The deputy to first-choice left-back Patrice Evra, his involvement in the first half of 2010/11 was limited to cup competitions, but he became a regular from February onwards as United won the title and reached the UEFA Champions League final.

• Captained Brazil at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Korea Republic, where he scored three goals in four matches en route to the last 16.