Fluminense twins Rafael and Fabio Silva will arrive at Manchester United as genuine contenders to succeed captain Gary Neville at fullback, it has been revealed.

The Times says United are planning for life without Neville with Wes Brown having enjoyed an almost uninterrupted run at right back since March.

In the longer term, Sir Alex Ferguson has high hopes for Danny Simpson, who made his Barclays Premier League debut against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, and Rafael and Fabio Silva, the 17-year-old Brazilian twins, who hope to receive clearance to join the club from Fluminense in January.