ON THIS DAY: RAFAEL DA SILVA CONFIRMED HIS EXIT FROM UNITED

Former Manchester United defender Rafael Da Silva may not be regarded as a club legend, but he was surely one of the most underrated players that featured under the great Sir Alex Ferguson. On this day back in 2015, the Brazilian confirmed that he was leaving Old Trafford in favor of a move to French side Olympique Lyonnaise.

Following his inability to nail down a starting berth at United under the club's former manager, Silva was deemed surplus to requirements at the club and was told that he needed to look for another challenge elsewhere as there was no chance for him in the team anymore.

Silva announced that he was joining Lyon because they were the side that offered him a better project structure and he was quick to accept the offer because it was not easy to resist such.

French side Lyon also made their own announcement where they revealed that they had struck a deal with Manchester United and also agreed personal terms with the defender with the only details remaining being his clearance.

It marked an end to the seven years Da Silva spent at Old Trafford where he was always a tireless and relentless right-back who became stronger and bolder as his Old Trafford stint drew further to a close. He bossed the right flank with sheer energy and drive and was part of the dynamic Sir Alex Ferguson team even till the end of the Scot's reign as United boss.

However, Silva was not able to convince the then-manager Louis Van Gaal that he was capable enough and had what it takes to continue as the club's first-choice right-back. He left the Theater of Dreams as a 25-year-old and would go on to have a decent career in France for Lyon.