The Brazilian right-back, who joined United alongside his twin brother Fabio in 2008, revealed that his relationship with Van Gaal soured almost immediately after the manager’s arrival in 2014.
Rafael, who made 170 appearances for United over seven years, shared that Van Gaal told him outright on his second day in charge, “I don’t like you.” This blunt declaration marked the beginning of Rafael’s decline at Old Trafford. Despite efforts from senior players like Ryan Giggs to advocate for him, Rafael’s playing time dwindled under Van Gaal. “He wanted me out of the club from the start,” Rafael said, emphasizing how challenging it was to remain at United during that period.
In 2015, Rafael ultimately left Manchester United for Lyon after being relegated to the reserves by Van Gaal. Interestingly, his move to Lyon came about by chance when scout Florian Maurice attended a match intending to watch Andreas Pereira but was impressed by Rafael’s performance, including a stunning lobbed goal against Tottenham. This unexpected turn led to Lyon signing Rafael instead of Pereira.
Reflecting on his career, Rafael acknowledged the highs and lows of his time at United. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, he enjoyed success and became a fan favorite for his wholehearted style of play. During his tenure, he won three Premier League titles and a League Cup. However, injuries and Van Gaal’s management ultimately curtailed his time at the club.
After leaving United, Rafael spent five years at Lyon before joining Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey and later returning to Brazil to play for Botafogo. He concluded his career with notable achievements, including winning a Brazilian championship and a Copa Libertadores title. Despite the challenges he faced under Van Gaal, Rafael remains a cult hero among Manchester United fans for his passion and commitment on the pitch.