Fergie plans Fabio loan spell

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed plans to send young Brazilian defender Fabio Da Silva out on loan next season.

Ferguson is concerned about the left-back's lack of progress over the last 12 months and believes it is in the interest of all parties if he gained more experience by playing regularly elsewhere. Fabio's development has not been helped by a series of niggling injuries which has restricted him to just 15 appearances in all competitions this term, although that only includes two Premier League starts. By contrast, the Scot has been delighted by the efforts of his twin brother Rafael, who is being tipped to return at right-back for this afternoon's clash with Aston Villa at Old Trafford. "Fabio will go on loan next season to give him concentrated first-team experience," Ferguson told United Review. "I have already talked to him and he understands the value of playing regularly at a higher level than we can give him at the moment. "I hope that Fabio will develop the same way as his twin [Rafael]." The news will come as a blow to the 21-year-old who actually started last year's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, but Fabio still has time on his side and can take encouragement from the fact that his manager is giving him a chance to prove his worth again.