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Rafael da Silva reveals Cristiano Ronaldo called him and his brother Fabio to convince them to sign for Manchester United over Arsenal

A phone call from Cristiano Ronaldo was the final factor which persuaded Rafael da Silva to join Manchester United, says the Brazil full back.

Rafael and his twin brother Fabio joined Old Trafford in 2007, after a tug-of-war between United and Arsenal.

Rafael, now of Lyon, said he and his sibling were leaning towards United anyway, but a chat with Ronaldo sealed the deal.

u00a0A phone call from Cristiano Ronaldo  persuaded Rafael da Silva to join Manchester United
A phone call from Cristiano Ronaldo persuaded Rafael da Silva to join Manchester United
The Brazil full back says Ronaldo gave him and his brother a call before their 2007 transfer
The Brazil full back says Ronaldo gave him and his brother a call before their 2007 transfer
Rafael (left) spent seven years at Old Trafford after signing along with his twin brother
Rafael (left) spent seven years at Old Trafford after signing along with his twin brother

He told ESPN: ‘[Cristiano] Ronaldo called us and asked us to join United.