Rafael pens lengthy Instagram message to Man United fans after leaving for Lyon

Posted Tuesday, August 04, 2015 by 101 GREAT GOALS

A favourite under Sir Alex Ferguson, Brazilian right back Rafael has been one of the big losers since the legendary Scottish manager left the club.

Injury and patchy form has meant that Rafael has struggled to pin down the right back spot and his standing is summed up by a 2.1 million pound move to Lyon, which although not confirmed, is imminent.

Rafael used to be a right back of excellent energy, who was capable of playing well defensively and helping out the attack.

At the beginning of his Manchester United career it was easy to believe the Brazilian would hold the right back position at Old Trafford for many years and rack up plenty of international caps.

Instead, having fallen completely out of favour under Louis van Gaal, Rafael is heading to France for (in today’s transfer market) a very very small amount of money.

Judging by the Instagram post below, Rafael does not feel he has any grudges and only has praise for the Manchester United fans. As well as Sir Alex Ferguson.

Unsurprisingly, there is no mention of David Moyes or Louis van Gaal…

I want to thank Manchester United fans for all the love during those 8 years. Since I signed with the club I lived incredible moments, after all it was 8 years wearing the shirt of one of the biggest clubs of the world. Thank you Manchester United FC. I also want to thank all employees who always treated me with great affection and gave me greater attention. Thank you United Kingdom, I learned a lot in this country, as a player, and no doubt as a human being, lessons that I will keep for the rest of my life. Thank you Sir Alex Ferguson for always believing in my work and for all the doors that you opened up to me. Now it's a new path, a new challenge, God bless me! Quero agradecer aos torcedores do Manchester United por todo o carinho durante esses 8 anos. Desde que assinei com o clube vivi momentos incríveis, afinal de contas foram 8 anos vestindo a camisa de um dos maior clubes do mundo. Obrigado Manchester United FC. Também agradeço aos vários funcionários que sempre me trataram com muito carinho e dando a maior atenção do mundo. Obrigado Reino Unido, aprendi muito nesse país, como jogador, e sem dúvidas como ser humano, aprendizado que vou levar para toda vida. Obrigado Sir Alex Ferguson por sempre ter acreditado no meu trabalho e por todas as portas que me abriu. Agora é um novo caminho, um novo desafio, que Deus me abençoe!