Rafael claims Man Utd boss Louis van Gaal 'did not like me'

Rafael da Silva has claimed Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal "did not like" him.

Rafael completed his move to Ligue 1 side Lyon last week for a fee of around £2.5m and the 25-year-old has lifted the lid on his seven-year spell at Old Trafford, where he played under three different managers.

When asked about Van Gaal's reported dislike of Brazilian players, Rafael, in an interview in Globo Esporte was quoted as saying: "I don’t know, sincerely. I don’t know what to say about that, because I was the only one, since Anderson left before.

"I know this history that he doesn’t like Brazilian [players], but I can't say: 'Oh, he doesn’t like Brazilians'.

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

Rafael also revealed that the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in May 2013 was a hammer blow to his United career.

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

"I did the complete season, when he (Ferguson) left. 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.

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

"Ferguson even called to wish me good luck," said Rafael, who had one year left on his United deal before he penned a four-year contract with Lyon.

"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."

Rafael had little to say about David Moyes' short tenure at Old Trafford, he added: "I won’t talk much about the relationship with Moyes, because it was too little, less than a year.

"And with Van Gaal the relationship was normal. He had his opinions, his thoughts, Everyone has their opinion. A manager is a manager. I always respected it and I will always respect it."