Casemiro changes mind about Man Utd in drastic U-turn after Murtough phone call
Casemiro has regrets over joining Manchester United with the club wanting to sign Benfica’s teenage midfield star Joao Neves.
Casemiro joined United in a £70million deal last summer to end a trophy-laden nine years at Real Madrid – where he won five Champions League crowns at the base of a midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The trio formed a formidable partnership that largely dominated Europe.
The Brazilian’s arrival has helped transform Erik ten Hag’s team in his debut season, adding balance, control and structure to the side while also becoming a leader on the pitch. United ended their six-year trophy drought with the EFL Cup title, while also reaching the FA Cup final and recording a top-three league finish.
Yet Casemiro’s form has suffered this season and questions have arisen over his place in the side. Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount both joined this summer to add competition for midfield places, while Kobbie Mainoo will feature once he returns from his injury layoff.
A report from El Nacional now outlines how the Brazilian, who has a long-term deal at United, is now regretting his switch from Madrid a year ago. That is despite Casemiro sending a text to his agent ahead of his move to United, when watching their early-season four-goal loss at Brentford in August 2022, saying: “Tell them I’ll fix this.”
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Casemiro’s response to United’s heavy loss at Brentford also saw the midfielder phone the club’s football director John Murtough. That was not to tell him that he was having doubts about leaving Real Madrid - but to give assurances that he couldn’t wait to get started at Old Trafford.
Oscar Ribot, whose Best of You agency acts on behalf of Casemiro, looked to quell long-term speculation over the midfielder’s future, in quotes carried by The Guardian earlier this year: “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.”
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Casemiro has apparently changed his mind (Craig Mercer/MB Media)Ribot added, of Casemiro’s likelihood of staying in football after his retirement from playing: “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 sat out United’s narrow victory at Sheffield United on Saturday following an ankle injury sustained on international duty with Brazil. He will be looking to return to the side as soon as possible but will sit out the midweek clash against Copenhagen through suspension.
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