https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWAu88rUYAAa1k0.jpg
Rafael da Silva has hit out at Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal(LVG) over his playing style while he was in charge of the first team squad at Manchester United. Van Gaal was in charge of the Manchester United team when Rafael da Silva reluctantly left the club to join Lyon in the French Ligue 1.
Brazilian fullback Rafael criticised Van Gaal and his ‘army camp’ football style in his book titled ‘The Sunshine Kids: Fabio & Rafael da Silva’ as reported by the Daily Mail. Van Gaal was not spared as he was heavily scrutinised by one of his former players at the Theatre of Dreams.
Rafael da Silva had a very good season as Manchester United won the Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season (2012/13 season) at the club but he was unable to impress Dutchman Van Gaal who became the Manchester United manager in the summer of 2014. Rafael was and is still a fan favourite amongst the Manchester United fans, but he would later leave the club in the summer of 2015 after he found playing minutes hard to come by under Van Gaal. Rafael was constantly snubbed by Van Gaal in favour of the likes of Paddy McNair, Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia on the right side of a five-man defence.
On Van Gaal, Rafael said he hated instinct and didn’t let them play one-touch football. According to him, the Dutch tactician slowed the players down as he wanted all head and not heart. Rafael said it felt like an army camp with Van Gaal and that the football was unrecognisable.
Manchester United don’t remember the two-year spell under Van Gaal with fond memories despite beating London club Crystal Palace in the 2016 FA Cup final to win the oldest club competition in England.