15 February 2023 , 21:10
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Barcelona star Raphinha has admitted he would love for Casemiro to make a controversial transfer move to the Nou Camp.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro spent nine years at Real Madrid before joining Manchester United in the summer transfer window heading into the current season. He won three LaLiga titles and five Champions Leagues during his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He featured in 19 Clasico matches during that spell, winning nine games against Barcelona, losing six and scoring once. Barca and Madrid famously despise each other, with few players featuring for both teams over the course of their careers.
But Raphinha, who arrived at the Nou Camp in the summer, now wants Casemiro to become part of that special group. He has urged his international team-mate to join him in Catalonia as Barca prepare to host United in the Europa League on Thursday.
"I always say, I would love to have Casemiro on my team. In addition to his experience and what he has achieved in football, he is a great leader, a great person," Raphinha told ESPN of his desire to play with Casemiro at club level.
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"He manages to complete a team with football, with the quality he has, with the defensive part he has, he is one of the best midfielders in the world. I prefer to avoid messages, pinpricks and such. Sometimes we talk, but nothing about football, we leave it to talk later.
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Raphinha picked out Casemiro as the man he would love to play with most (Getty Images)"Before the game, let them concentrate there on their side, and I on mine, and tomorrow we'll talk meet and catch up, but after the game. I believe in a very physical game, with a lot of contact.
"It will be a game of great quality, we are doing well in the league, they are also doing well in the Premier League. I think it will be a very good game to watch and play. Anyone who has the opportunity to watch it, I believe will be very satisfied."
Casemiro will feature at the Nou Camp in the first leg of the knockout clash in a welcome boost for Erik ten Hag. The Brazilian has been ruled out of United's last three domestic games but will come into the side to face Barca.
United teammate Luke Shaw is under no illusions as to Casemiro's importance. And he welcomed the return of the midfielder ahead of the Red Devils' huge clash with the LaLiga giants.
"I think it's been quite obvious to see how important he is to the team when he's not been playing. For us as defenders, he gives us that feeling that we know there's a lot of security, especially because of his positioning, where he always is," he said.
"He loves to win the ball back and tackle. We always say to him that he likes to give the ball away so he can go and win it back!
" I think he's an extremely important player for us and I'm very happy to have him back tomorrow night because, like I said, he's been a big miss for us."