Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva has admitted he wasn’t surprised to miss out on Luiz Felipe Scolari’s World Cup squad.
The Brazilian also acknowledged that his club team mates need to take the blame for the poor season the Old Trafford outfit endured.
The 23-year-old spoke to Globo Esporte this week about his international snub, he said: “After I wasn’t called up last year when I was playing well, I felt it would be hard to be called up for the World Cup.”
Sky Sports quoted Rafael, who turned his attentions to Manchester United, he added: “The year was not normal. I had been there for six years, I was a champion three times, runners-up twice.
“I think this is football, we changed manager after 26 years and that affects any team. Each manager has his own style.
“The players are to blame too, the things changed off the field, now we have to try again next season.”
Rafael will have a new manager to play under next season and is excited about the prospect of linking up with Louis van Gaal.
He said: “Robin Van Persie said many good things about him especially when his name was being linked to the club.
“I heard a lot when he was at Barcelona and Bayern too. Now we have to wait.”
