Rafael Da Silva was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s last Premier League winning squad at Manchester seven years ago.
Since then, United have slumped into mediocrity without challenging for the title and have missed out on Champions League football on several occasions.
The Reds are trophyless in two seasons but finally seem to be heading back in the right direction with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm.
Rafael has pointed to the club’s flawed transfer policy as the main reason for their failure in recent years.
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“It has taken too long to get back on track,” he told ESPN.
“It’s been seven years [without a Premier League title]. We did some things wrong. We started signing expensive players and giving them a lot of money. I don’t agree with that. Just because a player costs £150 million does not mean he’s good for the team. It depends on the character of the player.
“I think that’s where we made mistakes, we start to just buy players. I think it has to be a mix. You have to buy some expensive players but not all. I am a supporter too and I know they want the best players but let’s see if he’s the best player for Manchester United, let’s see if he is going to work.”
Angel Di Maria is the prime example of a player who was signed on a huge money contract but never had the heart to be a success at the club.
But Solskjaer has been aiming to rectify the mistakes made in the transfer market by recruiting players that are the right personalities as well as talented.
Its difficult to criticise the Norwegian on his additions; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Daniel James and Bruno Fernandes have all been successes so far.
Louis Van Gaal sold Rafael to Lyon in 2015, and he has remained at the Ligue 1 side ever since.
