Veteran midfielder Casemiro has revealed he nearly canceled his move from Real Madrid to Manchester United last summer.
Speaking ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup semifinal clash against Coventry City, Casemiro said;
‘I remember it was a Friday, and almost everything was done; the only thing that was missing was my signature, and I just had to do my medical. But it was already done,’ Casemiro told El Chiringuito de Jugones.
‘I went to talk to the Mister [Ancelotti] because I was supposed to train, but I couldn’t train [because the transfer was imminent]. People knew the transfer was done, but I still had to be there.
‘And so I go to talk to Ancelotti and he already knew I was leaving. I entered his office, and when he turned around, I saw he was crying. Ancelotti was crying. ‘And I am thinking, “Why are you crying? No, you can’t be crying.”
‘And Carlo told me that he didn’t want me to leave and that he loved me very much… and in that moment I doubted [the move] and realised how many people loved me here. ‘But I had already committed to it; I had given my word [to United], and my word is more important than anything. But that was the one moment.’
Casemiro joined Manchester United for £60m in 2023 signing a three-year contract. He had an impressive debut season with the Red Devils but has seen his fortunes nosedive this season.
Struggling with a niggling injury crisis, the former Real Madrid has seen his minutes with United slashed. He has made 19 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring one goal and providing 2 assists.
With a year left on his contract, he has been linked to a summer exit from the club alongside other high-earning players with decreasing productivity such as Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, and Donny Van de Beek
