Rafael fires parting shot at Louis van Gaal

Rafael da Silva has fired a parting-shot at Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal after leaving Old Trafford and signing for French title challengers Lyon.

The Brazilian defender claimed Van Gaal was making a mistake by getting rid of him and Robin van Persie in a summer clear-out that has also seen Tom Cleverley, Nani and Angel di Maria leave the club.

“Since Van Gaal arrived at Manchester United, I barely played under him. He did not give me an opportunity,” Rafael told Brazilian paper Globo Esporte. “It is said that Van Gaal doesn’t like Brazilian players. But to be honest, I can’t say that he actually doesn’t like us. What I can say is that he didn’t like me. I don’t know whether it was because I was Brazilian or not.