Tuesday, August 05, 2008

United look set to play to Samba beat with Brazilians looking good......

Pre-season games can often look like an exercise in going through the motions in preparation for the real thing, and with United failing to sign any big names this summer many supporters will no doubt be slightly frustrated at the club's inability to find a new striker.

It does seem a bit ridiculous that Fergie hasn't been able to get his man thus far given the success of last season and money in the bank. That's the bad news, but the good news is that the Red's lack of activity in the transfer market this summer has given the likes of Fraizer Campbell his chance to show what he can do.

Campbell was outstanding last season for Hull City who wanted to sign him on a permanent basis, and during pre-season with United he's done quite well, he scored a superb goal on Saturday against Espanyol after which Fergie hinted that his future was at Old Trafford.

Last night United took on Peterborough - who have beaten Liverpool this summer, but the Reds ran out two-nil winners courtesy of a first-half own goal and a fabulous second-half strike by substitute Darron Gibson. In truth the scoreline slightly flattered the visitors and it was a decent game to watch especially with United's trio of recently signed Brazilians all impressing.

Rafael da Silva played the full ninety minutes at right-back - this just after local lad Danny Simpson was transferred to Blackburn for a full season on loan. Rafael really did look the part, he's not that big, but the boy can play, he actually looks like a miniature Iván Campo, but he's much quicker than the recently released Bolton player and he likes to get forward.

Attacking right-backs can be defensively suspect; think Glen Johnson at Portsmouth and countless others, but against the Posh, Rafael barely put a foot wrong. Twin brother Fabio da Silva came on at half-time in place of Patrice Evra and he didn't let anyone down, but after the game Ferguson was waxing lyrical about Rafael when hinting that United may well have found a star in the making.

Midway through the second period the Reds other recent Brazilian signing Rodrigo Possebon came on and once again he really looked the part. Rodrigo is a player of real promise, he rarely loses the ball - which he uses well, and he isn't afraid to shoot from distance.

United also have Anderson who is away with Brazil on Olympic duty, this is why Fergie was keen to point out that most of the young lads who have been involved recently will be staying with the club, at least for now at least anyway.

The Red Devils have a tough start to the new campaign, the first nine away games are against the sides who finished in the top nine in the Premier League.

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