20 - Fabio Da Silva Profile

Despite signing for the club in February 2007, Fábio was unable to be registered as a Manchester United player or play in matches for the club until his 18th birthday on 9 July 2008. He made his first appearance for Manchester United on 4 August 2008, coming on as a half-time substitute for Patrice Evra in a 2–0 friendly win away to Peterborough United. His performance in that game was praised, with Today claiming that "Manchester United finally found out what they were missing".

He has since played in eight matches for the club's reserve team, scoring five goals – including a hat-trick against Rochdale in the Lancashire Senior Cup on 16 March 2009 – and was named on the bench for United's second league game of the season against Portsmouth on 25 August 2008. However, Fábio's competitive debut for the Manchester United first team was delayed by a shoulder injury, which required surgery. His debut finally came in the 2–1 FA Cup Fourth Round win over Tottenham Hotspur on 24 January 2009. However, he picked up an injury to his calf shortly into the second half and had to be replaced by fellow debutant Richard Eckersley.

• Fabio keen to take Sporting chance

  Manchester United defender Fabio da Silva has indicated he would jump at the chance to join Sporting Lisbon on loan.