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Casemiro was paraded around Old Trafford by Manchester United ahead of Monday night’s clash with Liverpool, ahead of £70million switch to Old Trafford from LaLiga titans Real Madrid.
The Brazilian is set to sign a four-year deal at United, with an option of a further year, on a deal worth £375,000-a-week, having spent nine trophy-laden years on the books at Real and his arrival was confirmed ahead of Monday’s crucial clash with Liverpool.
Erik ten Hag’s side previously confirmed on Friday that they had reached an agreement with Los Blancos for the five-time Champions League winner, and the player bid Madridistas an emotional farewell in a press-conference on Monday.
Manchester United showcased their £70million man Casemiro from Real Madrid on Monday
The Brazilian was photographed holding a United shirt ahead of the game at Old Trafford
The Brazilian star arrives after a trophy laden career at Madrid – graphic from SofaScore
Casemiro gave an emotional farewell to Real Madrid ahead of his move to Manchester United
Despite struggling to contain his emotions at Monday’s farewell press-conference, the Brazilian was able to look optimistically on his future, saying: ‘I am excited to develop at a big club like Manchester United.
Casemiro won 18 trophies in his nine-year stay at the Santiago Bernabeu
‘I’m sure one day I’ll come back. I want to give back all the love they gave me.’
And the club posted a video welcoming the player on their website, with the player saying: ‘The opportunity to start a new challenge at Manchester United and in the Premier League is extremely exciting.
‘I have worked with many great managers in my career and, having met with Erik and heard his ideas, I can’t wait to work closely with him, his staff and my new team-mates in the coming years.
‘I’m ending one beautiful journey in Madrid whilst starting another in Manchester as determined as ever to win football matches, win trophies and make our fans proud by bringing success to this great club.
Erik ten Hag’s side have completed perhaps their biggest transfer coup of the summer
‘Everybody knows the history of Manchester United, the significance of the club around the world and what it means to its supporters. To represent United is an honour and I am ready to give everything to help the team achieve our ambitions.’
But naturally much of the announcement concerned his former employers in Real Madrid and his early days at the club, as he reflected: ‘When I left Sao Paulo, it was clear to me that I would play in Real Madrid’s first team. Here I built my life, my family.
‘The greatest title I have achieved is coming to train every morning at this club. As you know, I don’t like the spotlight or being in the spotlight, I’ll try to speak from my heart.
‘If I talk about teammates, I can’t not talk about: Modric and Kroos. We’ve won a lot and we’ve really enjoyed playing together.’
After a summer spent pursuing one LaLiga star midfielder in Frenkie de Jong, United have ended up looking to the Blaugrana’s arch-nemesis to secure the services of another in the shape of Casemiro.
And the Brazilian brings a wealth of experience, know-how – and perhaps more important – a winning attitude to the Red Devils’ dressing room.
Alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, Casemiro helped form one of Europe’s finest midfields
After 336 games and 31 goals for Los Blancos, the 30-year-old midfielder won 18 trophies in the Spanish capital, including of course five Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups and three LaLiga titles.
Fred and Casemiro are Brazil’s first choice midfield and will link up again at United
United’s high-profile catastrophic start to the 2022-23 season has rightly brought every player under the microscope, but after seasons of criticism targeted at Scott McTominay and Fred, the purchase of a world-class holding midfielder could mark a change in fortunes at Old Trafford.
As well as joining former Real team-mates Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford, the 30-year-old will also link up with his partner in the centre of the park for the national team in Fred, who fans will hope he can get the best out of.
Casemiro’s former, and future, team-mate Varane took to social media to welcome in the ‘warrior’ midfielder.
Varane wrote: ‘Many battles fought together with my warrior Case ! Welcome to Manchester, amigo @casemiro’, accompanied with a sword emoji.
There was not thought to be any issue at Real, and manager Carlo Ancelotti was keen to keep hold of his midfield linchpin, but the club made it clear they would not stand in the player’s way if he felt a move was best for him.
However the prospect of a long-term contract just six months out from his 31st birthday is believed to have been the biggest factor in the Brazilian’s decision to join Ten Hag’s side.
Real have in the past been reluctant to offer lengthy deals to ageing stars, which caused the departures of legends Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos, and even Croatia star Luka Modric is only on a year-on-year renewal basis despite his years of service.
And the Brazilian has likely already endeared himself to United fans by openly asking wantaway star Ronaldo – with whom Casemiro won four of his Champions League titles – to stay at Old Trafford.
He added: ‘I haven’t spoken to Cristiano, I hope he stays because he’s one of the best players of all time,’ Casemiro added.
‘Everything I did here, I want to do there too. I want to win the league there.
‘I am going through one of the best moments of my career. I feel I’m really fit, mentally I feel great, and I feel like it’s a great moment to take this decision.’
Casemiro played 109 games with Ronaldo and the pair won four Champions Leagues together