Lyon fullback Rafael has explains his online jibe aimed at former Manchester United striker Alexis Sanchez earlier this summer.

In an interview, Sanchez - who has since joined Inter Milan - claimed he knew he wanted to leave United shortly after his acrimonious move to Old Trafford from Arsenal.

"The first training I had I realised many things," the Chilean stated. "I came home and I told my representative: 'Can't the contract be terminated to return to Arsenal?'

"They start laughing and I told them that something did not sit right with me. It [the contract] had already been signed."

Sanchez's revelation drew the ire of Rafael, who replied by saying: "Maybe he saw a ghost and get scared that explain why he play so bad every time."

Rafael has now explained his response with the Athletic: "If he said those things, it is a joke.

“It is a joke.

"The guy came after the first training session and said, 'I want to move.' Why do you want to move? He said this because he played s**t for Manchester United.

"It is easy to blame other people, man. All the time, you blame others. 'It's this s**t, it's that s**t.' What is the point? It is so easy.

"It was my reaction. I woke up and saw that and thought, 'It is not possible.'

"The guy cannot say that, so I just reacted. Everyone knows I love Manchester United, and I just reacted."