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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed Rafael da Silva as his new Gary Neville.

The 22-year-old Brazilian has emerged as such a key figure at ­right-back in ­Ferguson’s squad that he was the only United player to be picked for both matches at Chelsea during the past week.

Ferguson said: “I can definitely see Rafael going on to have the kind of career that Gary Neville had with us. There’s no doubt about it.

“His form this season has been ­brilliant. He’s tougher now.

“Gary came to us as a centre-back and wasn’t the finished article when he came into our team. Gary became a fantastic full-back, perhaps the best this club has ever had.”

Fergie added: “Rafael is perhaps more naturally ­talented than Gary. But he was making mistakes in games. Now we are all ­hoping that ­maturity will come along and the rashness disappear.”