Casemiro, the Manchester United player who pushed through a trade from Real Madrid to Erik ten Hag’s team a year ago, now regrets his action.
Casemiro has expressed reservations about joining Manchester United, despite the club’s desire to pursue Benfica’s teenage midfielder Joao Neves.
Casemiro joined United in a £70 million transfer last summer, capping off a trophy-laden nine-year spell at Real Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles at the heart of a midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The trio established a strong alliance that ruled Europe.
In his debut season, the Brazilian has helped improve Erik ten Hag’s team, bringing balance, control, and structure while also emerging as a leader on the pitch.
United overcame a six-year trophy drought by winning the EFL Cup, as well as reaching the FA Cup final and finishing in the top three in the league.
However, Casemiro’s form has decreased this season, and questions about his role in the team have surfaced. Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount signed this summer to compete for midfield spots, while Kobbie Mainoo will return from an injury layoff.
According to El Nacional, the Brazilian, who has a long-term contract with United, is now rethinking his decision to leave Real Madrid a year ago. Despite this, Casemiro texted his agent before his move to United in August 2022, while watching their early-season four-goal setback to Brentford, stating, “Tell them I’ll fix this.”
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Casemiro’s reaction to United’s crushing defeat at Brentford included a phone call to the club’s football director, John Murtough. That was not to say he had second thoughts about leaving Real Madrid but to assure him that he couldn’t wait to get started at Old Trafford.
In statements published earlier this year by The Guardian, Oscar Ribot, whose Best of You agency represents Casemiro, sought to allay long-term uncertainty over the midfielder’s future: “Case[miro] has signed for four years plus one. He’s come to win titles; this month has been hard, but there’s nothing else on his mind.”
Ribot said of Casemiro’s chances of staying in football after he retires: “He says he won’t be a coach, but he will. He’s already one in a footballer’s body. This month, he’s watched everything, calculating the points needed and the days left.”
Casemiro missed United’s 1-0 win over Sheffield United on Saturday due to an ankle injury acquired while on international duty with Brazil. He will try to return to the team as soon as possible, but will be suspended for the midweek match against Copenhagen.
