The Manchester United defender has endured a difficult season, by far his poorest since the 28-year-old's £4million transfer to Old Trafford from Internazionale in September 1999. Silvestre has made more than 200 Premiership appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson's side but his form, particularly in the first half of the campaign, was a cause for concern. He may also struggle to win his place back in the France side in Germany after being castigated for some key errors at Euro 2004, where he conceded two penalties in four games as France failed to defend the trophy they had won four years earlier.