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Dear Fabio,

You were right.

Firstly about Fast & Furious 7. I watched it again and it really was the tribute Paul Walker deserved.

But also about the other stuff: United, Mr Ferguson, the future... all of it. I've had time to think in this last year and it's time for a change of scenery. Just like you said.

Do you remember the start? I do, like it was yesterday. Coming back from training to that phone call. Robin always went on the little boy inside him, but we were actual kids when Mr Ferguson came along. I don't think I'll ever be that excited again.

Those first days were the best, weren't they? The flight over, the sleepless nights that followed... what an adventure it all was. Mum always used to say that twins are born lucky, but God really must have taken a shine to you and me.

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I've been thinking a lot about opportunity over the last few months. About having it and making the most of it.

I guess some people will say that we failed in Manchester, that we could have defended better or been fitter. I know you've been hard on yourself since you left and that things haven't exactly panned out as you wanted.

But I see it a bit differently. Success isn't measured only in games and goals but also in feelings and other stuff. You're probably laughing at my cod philosophy, but screw it, it's true, isn't it?

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Just think about it. The fans loved us more than hundreds of players who played just as many games (well, as many as me :D :D :D). I'll always be the little ruffian who squared up to Tevez and those Liverpool idiots. You'll always have the Champions League final and that goal against Arsenal. Mr Ferguson used to speak about us like we were his sons, for goodness' sake. We felt the warmth of the hairdryer, never the searing heat.

Mainly, though, we'll always have the knowledge that we were us. I know they like full-backs to be monsters here these days and heaven knows Van Gaal has made it perfectly clear what he thinks of my heading ability, but in the time we had, we did things our way. That has to be worth something, right?

(Image: Action)

And you were by my side to share it all – the good days and the dark ones. I can still see the grin that spread across your face when we first saw Old Trafford. Even watching a match there would have been a dream come true when we were still in Brazil. Never forget that.

Hope things are going well in Cardiff. I know I still owe you a visit.

Lots of love, as always.

Rafael

PS – can you PLEASE stop using my Xbox Live log-in? I've told you a thousand times already.