Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio Da Silva that they need to cut down on the number of stupid challenges they make in order to reduce the time they end up spending on the treatment table.

The twins, signed from Brazilian club Fluminense almost 6 years back now after impressing the manager at the Manchester United Youth Cup, are currently out of action, nursing injuries.

Rafael is back! Its been a disasterous start to the season for our favourite right-back, but he is finally back on his feet (and in his football boots) and ready to play.

Rafael had a promising pre-season but was unlucky enough to get injured in the Community Shield match against Manchester City, just a week before the season started.

Fabio and Rafael da Silva are both in contention to start in the Champions League final against Barcelona. But the brothers have also recognised its comedy potential and have been known to switch shirts in Manchester United training.

Both Brazilians are right-footed, both have wedding rings. When Rafael was talking at Carrington this week, the only way to be sure it was him was by checking his shoes; his left, helpfully, has Rafael stitched into it (his right has Da Silva). Unless he’d borrowed his brother’s.

Rafael and Fabio da Silva have given a new interview to FIFA where they have said that they are extremely happy to play for Manchester United. Despite Brazil’s reputation as a prolific exporter of footballing talent, cases of players leaving the country even before making their debuts in the professional game remain rare. Rarer still are those that move directly into the first-team squads at a club of Manchester United's stature.

Rafael and Fabio da Silva are yet to be fit for Manchester United after Alex Ferguson revealed this double blow to http://www.footballscores.com

Five other United players could also not make the trip to France due to injury. Park Ji-Sung, Anderson, Antonio Valencia as well as Rafael and Fabio da Silva have all been sidelined for the Red Devils.

Rafael, Fabio and Anderson all got injured in Saturday’s FA cup tie against Crawley Town.

Fabian Da Silva and Rafael Da Silva have both been praised for being the next big thing at Manchester United. Rafael and Fabio da Silva both made their debuts for Man United on the 4th of August 2008 in a friendly against Peterborough. Both were equally impressive to fans, neutrals and critics alike. Since then Rafael has gone onto establsih himself as United’s first choice right back while Fabio looks on earning the odd spot on the bench or start in the Carling Cup.

Fabian Da Silva and Rafael Da Silva have both been praised for being the next big thing at Manchester United. Rafael and Fabio da Silva both made their debuts for Man United on the 4th of August 2008 in a friendly against Peterborough. Both were equally impressive to fans, neutrals and critics alike. Since then Rafael has gone onto establsih himself as United’s first choice right back while Fabio looks on earning the odd spot on the bench or start in the Carling Cup.

Rafael da Silva secured his first ever Brazil cap in the friendly against USA. New Brazil boss Mano Menezes, who took over from Dunga after the Selecao's poor outing in South Africa, named Da Silva in his 23-man squad against the USA in New Jersey.

The football betting markets don't expect him to start, but he may come on as a sub. In comments to his club's website, Da Silva said: "I'm so happy to have been called up to the national team and very proud."

It's my first call and I hope there will be more to come in the future.

Ryan Giggs has taunted that United will never collapse like Liverpool because they have youngsters like Fabio and Rafael da Silva. Giggs hailed Fergie's long-term vision, which he believes will sustain United's success long after the 69-year-old Scot eventually steps down.

"Our manager is not always looking just for this season," said Giggs. "He buys players with a view to the future, which he's done more and more over the last few years.

Manchester United have revealed that they will be testing many youngsters like Fabio and Rafael da Silva in the festive period. Phelan says it will be a big challenge for their foreign youngsters.

He told manutd.com: "But playing through Christmas is perhaps a new experience to people like Javier Hernandez, Bebe and Rafael and Fabio to some extent. Whereas before they might have shut down over Christmas, now they are playing through.