Casemiro claims that his first season at Manchester United was his best ever, despite mixed fortunes in the Premier League.
The midfielder joined United after a £ 70 million deal with Real Madrid in 2022.
The Brazilian international enjoyed enormous success during his nine-year-old Stint at Real, where he won three Laliga titles, the Copa del Rey and five Champions League trophies.
The 32-year-old, however, has not been able to replicate the same success at Man Utd, despite winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his first two years at the club.
Some of Casemiro's versions The last two seasons have been heavily criticized, especially from experts such as Jamie Carragher who strongly advised him to move to Saudi Arabia or the MLS.
The Brazilian, however, is adamant that his debut season in Old Trafford contained the best version ever of himself, because he gained a total of seven goals and seven assists in 53 performances.
Casemiro said: “It was the perfect time. I had won everything with Madrid and I had to take on other challenges. Looking at my career, individually, my best season as a professional football player was the first with United.
“I don't say together in terms of titles. The Champions League of Madrid is the ultimate, but as a player I think Old Trafford saw the best Casemiro in my first year.”
Casemiro insists that he still has a lot to offer United despite a few subparal performances, which means that he falls out of favor of the new Ruben Amorim manager.
So much so that the defensive midfielder, who started his first Premier League match of 2025 in the 1-0 loss of Sunday for Spurs, wants to see his £ 375,000 a week contract, which up in 2026.
Casemiro said: “I have to keep doing what I do, with great respect and education. Of course I would like to play more of course. I don't know any player who doesn't want to play and help.
“I would also like to help the club right now. I approach things with respect for my teammates and the technical committee.
“And above all, I respect United, a club that I am very grateful to. I have a year and a half on my contract and I want to fulfill it here in Manchester. I feel at ease here and that is also my family.
“They have adapted, we speak English. I am very grateful to the fans of Old Trafford and the club. I am happy at club level. Fortunately in the couch? Of course not. That's something.”
Casemiro is no stranger to win demanding managers at the highest level during his 14-year career.
The versatile midfielder seemed clear to people like Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane at Real and Tite in Brazil – the trio that he regards as his “top three” coaches.
Casemiro added: “Nobody wins so many titles alone by being nice, although he is. I have an enormous affection for Ancelotti.
“For me he is in the top three of the coaches I have had, together with Zidane, of course, and Tite, who was the coach of Brazil. I had others who left their mark on me, such as [Jose] Mourinho or [Julen] Lopeti.
Casemiro's Man City Warning
“But Ancelotti is an old-school coach who did not hold in the old school. Carlo modernized as football. Tactics, physical preparation … Ancelotti did not get stuck in the old school.
“He has the intelligence and calmness of an old coach, but with the intelligence of the new. An ideal mix. An incredible coach because of him and his staff.
“Carlo is different from others and has known how to mark an era. In football there are different ways to win. [Pep] Guardiolas Tiki-Taka, the intensity and life of the passion of football such as [Jurgen] Klopp, the defensive power of [Diego] Simeone, for whom I have a lot of respect … “
Casemiro continues to follow Real's matches and rooted for them during their most recent 3-2 victory over the rivals of his current club Manchester City in the Etihad.
The Brazilian is convinced that his former club can get the last 16 of the Champions League thanks to the Santiago Bernabeu factor, but warned them not to underestimate the noisy neighbors of Man Utd.
Casemiro still really supports
Casemiro stated: “It was no surprise to me. Madrid almost always does it and everyone knows the history of this team and what it can do.
“Madrid always grows to the end and never gives up. Even with 2-1 losing, I knew there was a lot to play for. And that is the city and a great coach like Guardiola. But they did it.
“Moreover, the return bone will be in the Bernabeu after the 2-3 with a great result. It will not be easy, but the Bernabeu, on those Champions League nights, is very special.
“I wish all the happiness in the world to my former teammates and not just because of my rivalry with the city, but more for Madrid. I hope she ended the last 16. Even if it hadn't been against the city, I always want That Madrid wins unless we meet one day, of course …
“Yes, this is the Bernabeu. But be careful, it will be difficult. City is not at their best, but they are city. They have [Erling] Haaland, [Kevin] De Bruyne, a great keeper like Edererson.
“Madrid, together with the Bernabeu, will make it very difficult for City. I hope Madrid will get the last 16.”
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