New start for Silvestre

Published : Oct 04, 2008 00:00 IST

The veteran defender’s recent seasons have been beset by injuries and, after slipping down the pecking order at Manchester United, he decided to move on for a fresh challenge, writes Andy Hampson.

Mikael Silvestre is a versatile veteran defender who made a surprise move to Arsenal this summer after close to a decade with rival Manchester United.

Silvestre was rated as one of the most promising defenders in Europe in his youth and went on to enjoy a fine career at United without ever hitting the heights expected of him on the international front.

His recent seasons have been beset by injuries and, after slipping down the pecking order at United, he decided to move on for a fresh challenge.

Silvestre began his career as a 17-year-old with French side Rennes and impressed enough to earn a move to Italian giant Inter Milan in 1998. He spent just one season at the San Siro and was not a regular starter, but his list of admirers continued to grow.

Barclays English Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United both made serious attempts to sign him and it was the Old Trafford club that secured his signature in a GBP4 million deal.

Ironically, Silvestre made his United debut against Liverpool at Anfield but his first season at the club was unconvincing. He failed to impress at left-back and although he looked better in the centre, he played there only as cover.

Nevertheless, he still experienced winning the Premier League and he began to look more at ease in the following season as United retained its title.

He was even more of a regular in 2001-02 and in the year after that he was regarded as one of United’s best defenders. Necessity forced him back into the centre and he formed solid partnerships with first Wes Brown and then Rio Ferdinand.

His partnership with Ferdinand in early 2003-04 was outstanding but broken when the England player was banned for eight months for missing a drugs test. Frailties began to be exposed and despite winning the FA Cup, United stuttered late in the season and ended up third.

Changes were made and the arrival of Gabriel Heinze increased competition. Silvestre remained a regular throughout 2004-05 but after the arrival of Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra in 2006, opportunities became more limited. He was given the chance to join Lyon but opted to stay at United to fight for his place.

The 2006-07 season was a frustrating one as a broken foot and a shoulder injury limited his involvement. Evra and Vidic established themselves in his absence but Silvestre turned down a move to Newcastle.

He stayed one more season at United but a knee ligament injury ruined most of the year and he decided it was time to move on. There was interest from Bordeaux and Manchester City, but Arsenal was the most appealing option.

He began last season determined to win his place back in the United side but it was not to be. The player collapsed in pain during a match at Everton in September and was stretchered off. His problem was diagnosed as a cruciate knee ligament injury and his campaign was over.

Silvestre is a France international but has not featured since the 2006 World Cup due to his injury problems and resulting lack of form.

He is married to Severine, with whom he has a daughter called Cleo. Severine was criticised in the fashion press this summer for committing the heinous sartorial crime of stepping out in public in a dress identical to one owned by Silvestre’s United team-mate John O’Shea’s partner, Yvonne Manning.

According to a survey, Silvestre owns one of the most popular vehicles among Premier League footballers — a Range Rover Sport 4.4 V8 HSE. The powerful 4x4 has a top speed of 130mph and costs around GBP54,500.

FactfileName: Mikael SilvestrePosition: DefenderClub: ArsenalDOB: 09/08/1977France caps: 40France goals: 2France debut: v Germany, February 2001Moment to remember

Despite offering pace and a decent aerial threat, Silvestre goals are rare. Remarkably, he got two of them, both with headers, to hand his then club Manchester United a 2-1 win over Liverpool in 2004.

Moment to forget

Silvestre’s move to Arsenal shows that time can heal. Three years ago Silvestre was far from popular at the north London club after he was sent off in a stormy match between the two title rivals for headbutting Freddie Ljungberg.

“This kind of thing does not belong on a football pitch,” said Ljungberg. “He butted me on my nose, and it bled.”

He also got no sympathy from his own manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I have seen it but I can’t believe it,” said Ferguson.

© PA Sport, 2008, All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, re-written, re-distributed or commercially exploited. Sportstar is not responsible for any inaccuracy in the material.

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