Rafael: "Van Gaal killed my love for United"

Just wow, no wonder the players stopped playing for him around 2015....

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/club/...lks-to-espn-fc

Rafael spent nearly eight years at Old Trafford and became a fan favourite under Sir Alex Ferguson. While he's happy playing for Olympique Lyonnais, whom he joined in 2015, his eyes tighten and his head begins to shake when he talks of life under Louis van Gaal.

"When it was announced that Van Gaal was taking over, four or five people, including players, called me to say that he doesn't like Brazilian players," Rafael told ESPN. "They pointed out what had happened with Rivaldo at Barcelona, but I didn't believe it."

After Van Gaal took charge in 2014, Rafael started six straight Premier League games between September and October, but following an injury that kept him out for two months, he would make Van Gaal's starting lineup just once more, for an FA Cup tie at Yeovil the following January. Another injury meant he was substituted at half-time.

"In his first season, Van Gaal called me to his office and said: 'You can leave,'" Rafael said. "The meeting lasted one minute. That was it: 'You can leave.' It took time for me to go, but I was desperate to leave when I did, and that saddens me because I loved everything about Manchester United.

"Van Gaal is not a bad coach, but I didn't like his character," Rafael said. "One day, I was in the canteen waiting to eat. Van Gaal used to speak to us after we'd eaten each day. I had a head injury after a game at Yeovil -- one of the few games I played in that season -- and I was touching my injury. After three or four seconds, he touched my head and said: 'Why don't you respect me?' (WTF )

"I stood up and said: 'I always respect you. I've never said anything which was disrespectful to you.' I am a patient guy, but I got angry then. I had done nothing wrong. Antonio [Valencia] later said to me: 'You're not going to play again.' Players didn't speak back to Van Gaal. Antonio was almost right; I barely played again. I love Manchester United, but I was so desperate to leave United. Only one man did that because I liked everything about the place. I couldn't handle him anymore." ()

more:

Then Van Gaal arrived, which marked the beginning of the end for Rafael at United. Three days after he left for Lyon in August 2015, he received a message.

"Van Gaal texted me to say: 'You know how football is.' I couldn't believe it. He didn't speak to me and then texted me to wish me well."

Did he reply?

"I did. I said: 'Thank you.' I was being polite. But I was angry".
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Real shame we lost this lad, would be our starting RB these days had he stayed.

He’s not even been Lyon’s starting RB this season, so that’s a bit of a stretch. Hardly a typical Mourinho player either?

Nice to see you back on here btw, must have been a tough few days.

Massive mistake letting him go. Should have kept Fabio for longer, too . Not enough characters of their ilk around the club anymore.

Originally Posted by Ethers

He’s not even been Lyon’s starting RB this season, so that’s a bit of a stretch. Hardly a typical Mourinho player either?

Nice to see you back on here btw, must have been a tough few days.

Honestly didn't bother me that Ciddy won the league. Deserved winners. We did our job at the emptyhad the other week. Full focus on Spurs now.

Rafael coulda been a Mou project.

Originally Posted by Ethers

He’s not even been Lyon’s starting RB this season, so that’s a bit of a stretch. Hardly a typical Mourinho player either?

Nice to see you back on here btw, must have been a tough few days.

You seem bothered when people don’t log on for a few days? Jokes

Originally Posted by AK14

You seem bothered when people don’t log on for a few days?

Saffers trying to make me cry, and Rafael has been back starting over the llast month or so.

Miss Rafffers tbh

Originally Posted by AK14

You seem bothered when people don’t log on for a few days? Jokes

Not at all pal, if I was bothered I’d spend all day mentioning it like you?!

Genuinely pleased to see Saffers back, I don’t agree with everything he says but he’s a valuable forum member who’s missed when he doesn’t post.

Unlike certain nothing posters.....

Originally Posted by Tiberian

Saffers trying to make me cry, and Rafael has been back starting over the llast month or so.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

Miss Rafffers tbh

https://twitter.com/AndyMitten/status/976834970395308034

Bring him home.

Originally Posted by Ethers

Not at all pal, if I was bothered I’d spend all day mentioning it like you?!

Genuinely pleased to see Saffers back, I don’t agree with everything he says but he’s a valuable forum member who’s missed when he doesn’t post.

Unlike certain nothing posters.....

So rattled

Originally Posted by Ethers

Genuinely pleased to see Saffers back, I don’t agree with everything he says but he’s a valuable forum member who’s missed when he doesn’t post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTMOAEc-gpQ

Thanks bro

Originally Posted by Tiberian

Saffers trying to make me cry, and Rafael has been back starting over the llast month or so.

He has started regularly the last few games tbf, Tete has done so for most of the season though. Same story really, Rafael far better going forward but Tete is a bit more solid defensively.

Lyon have as good as signed Dubois from Nantes in that position for next season though, so there’s talk of Rafael moving on.

Mou would have despised the lad btw. Imagine the monthly fitness breakdowns.

Mittin is a bit of a stirrer isn't he? Didn't he get Ando to slag off the Big Man too? Again without much substance.

Originally Posted by Ethers

He has started regularly the last few games tbf, Tete has done so for most of the season though. Same story really, Rafael far better going forward but Tete is a bit more solid defensively.

Lyon have as good as signed Dubois from Nantes in that position for next season though, so there’s talk of Rafael moving on.

Watched him a few times recently and he has definitely lost some of the pace he used to have. Pity, will always have 12/13 though

Bailly has a bit of Rafa to his game, the same lovable madness, hopefully it turns out a little better in the long term. Mou not really a lover of attacking full backs anyway, could sign Marcelo and he would not be fully released.

Tibs attracted to this thread like a heat seeking missile

Originally Posted by saffers

https://twitter.com/AndyMitten/statu...34970395308034

Loved that lad
Great attitude

Best right back we’ve had since Nev got injured at home to Bolton

Cristiano Ronaldo called us and asked us to join United. He knew that Arsenal wanted us too, but we had given our word to United, and my parents said that was important. Nani was also there and the Brazilian Anderson, of course. Those three helped me, my brother and another Brazilian Rodrigo Possebon a lot because we couldn't speak any English."

"That didn't stop him [Anderson] offering to be my English teacher!. I'm serious. He would listen to someone then translate what he thought they had said. It was hilarious. He would get angry in games and try to speak, but he couldn't speak English. He'd get so frustrated."

Originally Posted by Ethers

Genuinely pleased to see Saffers back, I don’t agree with everything he says but he’s a valuable forum member who’s missed when he doesn’t post.

agreed.

Me & saffers haven't agreed on much United wise lately, but there's never any cross words.
Too much water under the bridge. Too much RooRep exchanged down the years.

Originally Posted by ZiggyStardust

Loved that lad
Great attitude

loved him & his brother.
Proper little characters who wore the shirt with pride nqat