Louis Van Gaal didn't like me: Former Manchester United defender Rafael

Rafael da Silva left Manchester United after 7 seasons at Old Trafford

Rafael da Silva has revealed that he was allowed to leave Manchester United because Louis van Gaal did not like him, according to ESPNFC. The Brazilian right-back has been at Old Trafford for seven seasons, before he joined Lyon for a fee of £2.5 million.

The 25-year-old has always been a regular at Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson brought him and his brother Fabio to the club from Fluminese in 2008. He has won every major trophy at the club except the FA Cup, although his last couple of seasons have been marred by injury which meant that he didn’t get to play as often as he would’ve liked to. The arrival of Louis van Gaal in 2014 saw him lose his place to Antonio Valenica as he managed only six appearances in the league last season, with most of them coming of the bench.

Rafael spoke about Louis van Gaal in an interview with Globo Esporte, admitting that he didn’t know why the Dutchman didn’t like him. He also wondered if van Gaal had a problem with Brazilians in general, due to his past problems with them at his previous clubs.

"I know this history that he doesn't like Brazilians, but I can't say: 'Oh, he doesn't like Brazilians.' he said, according to Globo Esporte.

"I know that he didn't like me, but if that's because I'm Brazilian, I don't know."

‘Ferguson even called to wish me good luck’

Rafael also spoke about Sir Alex Ferguson’s time at the club, saying that the the Scot’s retirement from Manchester United in 2013 was a ‘fatal’ change for him. He went on to mention that his best season at Old Trafford came about in Fergie’s final year at the club.

"I did the complete season, when he [Ferguson] left," he said. "In 2012-13 I played almost every game, it was my best season at United, we were even champions.”

"And that's when they changed the manager. That change was fatal for me. I was going well, then Ferguson left."

He added: "Ferguson even called to wish me good luck. I had a very good relationship with him, he helped me a lot in Manchester, and always did everything to help me. He signed me when I was 16, I don't even know what to say."

When asked about his relationship with David Moyes, Rafael decided against talking about it since the former Everton manager was in-charge for less than a year.

"I won't talk much about the relationship with Moyes, because it was too little, less than a year," he said.

He also expressed his disappointment with playing time under Louis van Gaal as well, after Antonio Valencia took his spot in the team.

"Valencia started playing as a right-back for Van Gaal. He's also a great player, but I was doing well in that position.