Sometimes it’s hard to say goodbye despite knowing something is over.
In the case of Rafael Da Silva, it’s particularly traumatic for both the player and Manchester United fans. The 25-year-old has signed for French club Lyon for £2.5m; he is finally wanted and should be delighted about the move.
https://twitter.com/orafa2/status/628258137762590720
United are losing a player who made just 11 appearances for the club last term. The departure of an increasingly peripheral right-back should not elicit an outpouring of genuine sadness.
But there’s a reason many United fans are far more distraught about losing Rafael than they are about the imminent sale of Angel Di Maria – and it doesn’t have that much to do with footballing ability.
Rafael an even nicer guy than he comes across in interviews, if that's possible. Sad to see him leave but wish him all the best.
— Adam Marshall (@AdamSMarshall) August 3, 2015
Rafael loved being at Old Trafford and the supporters loved him. It was – and clearly still is – a rare affinity between the fans in the stands and a player whose commitment to the cause was always absolute.
Whether it was fronting up to Carlos Tevez in the Manchester derby, taking on a gang of Scousers at Anfield when no one else would, or scoring scorchers against Arsenal, Rafael was all in – and the hoards loved him for it.
Outsiders find the regard with which United fans hold the Brazilian as deluded; they see the fact that Rafael will wear the number 20 at Lyon by way of a tribute to United’s 20 titles a bit pathetic.
How can anyone be so sad about a former prospect whose youthful potential never truly blossomed, is the repeated question. Isn’t his fixation with the club he’s leaving a tad disrespectful to Lyon?
.@OL new-boy Rafael: "I chose the #20 because we (#MUFC) have won 20 titles." pic.twitter.com/jIrg5YU0BW
— Chris McHardy (@ChrisMcHardy19) August 4, 2015
Such cynical sentiments may harbour some validity, but in a sport that has become increasingly mercenary, the mutual sadness is unusually tender and heartfelt.
Rafael didn’t quite end up becoming the player that United fans had hoped. Many argue that the club didn’t give the him an adequate crack of the whip, especially in recent years.
We will miss you @orafa2… It's been a pleasure! Good luck, you deserve it! Abrazo y mucha suerte amigo! pic.twitter.com/dyFx87AGBh
— Juan Mata García (@juanmata8) August 4, 2015
Regardless, both player and fans face the future with a pang of regret. When a player with such talent, bravery, willing and enormous heart doesn’t make it, it is always a crying shame.
Sometimes it’s best that things do end, even if you expected they would go on for much longer.
