Rafael says goodbye to Manchester United ahead of Lyon transfer

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone. Rafael da Silva, sometime rightback and all-time hero, has jumped in early for the last time as a Manchester United player. Neither United nor Lyon have announced that the transfer has already been completed, but Rafael has said his goodbyes to United and to England.

Here he is, in happier times ...

I want to thank Manchester United fans for all the love during those 8 years. pic.twitter.com/1YBVEorKZq

— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015

And here is his farewell ...

Thank you @ManUtd FC. I also want to thank all employees who always treated me with great affection and gave me greater attention.

— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015

Since I signed with the club I lived incredible moments, after all were 8 years wearing the shirt of one of the biggest clubs of the world.

— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015

What? No, no, we're fine. Just something in our eye. It's pretty dusty in here.

Thank you United Kingdom, I learned a lot in this country, as a player, and no doubt as a human being...

— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015

lessons that I will keep for the rest of my life. Thank you Sir Alex Ferguson for always believing in my work and...

— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015

for all the doors that you opened up to me. Now it's a new path, a new challenge, God bless me!

— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) August 3, 2015

"God bless me!" That's done it. We're gone.