Manchester United: Brothers in arms and Fergie's masterplan

Football Food For Thought / Dan Fitch / 23 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Dan Fitch reveals Fergie's master plan that should it work, would rival any achievements Ferguson has already accomplished in terms of trophies.

Sir Alex Ferguson has achieved so much in his football career. Breaking the dominance of the Old Firm in Scotland and landing European silverware with Aberdeen, would be enough for some, but not for Fergie.

He moved on to Old Trafford, where he has become the most decorated manager in the history of English football. Yet all of these achievements would melt into insignificance should Sir Alex be successful in the next mooted plan.

For Fergie is threatening to go ahead with a scheme, that if he could pull it off, would rank up there with the building of the pyramids and London Calling by The Clash, on the list of mankind's greatest achievements.

Ferguson's plot involves United's identical twin full backs, Rafael and Fabio Da Silva. The mischievous Scot has admitted that he has been tempted to start with one Da Silva twin and then replace him with the other at half time, without anyone noticing.

Such chicanery is generally more common within an episode of the Wacky Races than the Premier League, though such is Ferguson's obsession with picking up medals, perhaps he'd be more suited to the role of Mutley than Dick Dastardly.

The only flaw with Ferguson's plan is that Rafael plays as a right back, while Fabio is a left back. The upside of course, is the fact that the Da Silva twins will be able to fill both the United full back berths for years to come.

It is Rafael that has made the breakthrough this season, as he profited from the injuries to Gary Neville and Wes Brown. Fabio has found it more difficult to get a game, before eventually making his debut in the FA Cup tie against Tottenham.

United can currently be backed at [1.14] to win the Premier League, [1.44] to win the Carling Cup, [3.0] to win the FA Cup and [6.4] to win the Champions League.

The Da Silva brothers follow in the footsteps of the Neville brothers at Old Trafford, though United fans will hope that Fabio is more comfortable with using his left foot than Phil.

The younger of the Neville brothers has been much maligned over the years, but in truth he was unfortunate that his best position was the right back role that Gary had made his own for both United and England.

The right footed Phil Neville was never going to set the world alight as a left back, so it's heartening that the versatile footballer finally found a regular role as Everton's defensive midfielder and captain. Everton are [8.6] to win the FA Cup.

In the Championship, Reading are currently profiting from the contributions of the Hunt brothers, Stephen and Noel. Older brother Stephen was rumoured to be leaving Reading in the transfer window, but having remained at the club, it's possible that the Hunts could be gracing the Premier League together next season. Reading are currently [2.8] to win the Championship and [1.57] to win promotion.

When it comes to brothers in football, there is generally one that greedily nabbed the lion's share of the genes, which relate to natural ability. From Bobby and Jackie Charlton, to Shaun and Bradley Wright-Phillips, there have been many examples of one brother outshining the other. When I consider how competitive I get when playing Trivial Pursuit against my brothers, then you can imagine how sibling rivalry could easily raise it's ugly head in the world of football.

We may never see the Klitschko brothers going head to head in the ring, but the Premier League regularly throws up such Cain and Abel-style disputes. Only last night, Hull's Andy Dawson faced off against little brother Michael at Tottenham. Then there's United Rio Ferdinand and Sunderland's Anton, and the aforementioned Neville brothers.

Then there are the multiple footballing siblings. The Toure family includes Arsenal's Kolo, Barcelona's Yaya, as well as baby brother Ibrahim at Syrian side Al-Ittihad. The Sodje brothers take some beating though. Akpo plays for Sheffield Wednesday, Sam plays for Reading, Efe plays for Bury and Steve plays for non-league Ashfield Town. Throw in their brother Bright Sodje, who played professional Rugby League and cousin Onome of York City and that's quite a 6-a-side team that will one day grace the local sports hall.

Finally, I give to you a footballer with a brother in the world of showbiz. They've kept this one quiet, but are you seriously telling me that Everton's Marouane Fellaini and Saved By The Bell's Screech Powers aren't twins?