Rafael da Silva has hit out at Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal following his £2.5-million move to Lyon, citing Sir Alex Ferguson's 2013 exit as "fatal" for his career.
Rafael joined Manchester United with his twin brother Fabio in 2008 and was an important part of Manchester United's title-winning campaign in 2012-13.
"It was all coming good, then Ferguson left," he told Globo Esporte, as translated by the Guardian. "(Antonio) Valencia starting playing at right-back for van Gaal. He's also a great player, but I was doing well in that position."
Rafael refused to be drawn onto the subject of whether his former boss specifically dislikes Brazilians, but certainly believed he wasn't due for a dinner invitation to the van Gaal household at any point.
"I know he didn't like me, but if it's because I am Brazilian, I do not know."
The 25-year-old will look to challenge for the Ligue 1 title with Lyon this campaign after the club fell short of Paris Saint Germain last season.