Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has revealed that the “great stature” of the Red Devils, as well as a “fresh” challenge, were his prime reasons for pursuing a move to Old Trafford.
The Brazilian midfielder completed a switch worth in the region of £70m in the summer, leaving Real Madrid after a hugely successful nine-year spell. During his time at the Santiago Bernabeu, he made 336 appearances for the Spanish giants and helped the club to three league titles, the Copa del Rey, five Champions Leagues and a whole host of other trophies.
Despite that remarkable service, there were some doubts over the driving force behind his switch, some - even former teammate Toni Kroos - appearing to suggest that money was his main motivation. Speaking shortly after Casemiro’s switch was confirmed, the German said: “TV money has been significantly higher in England for years and yet it hasn't resulted in English teams winning everything. Thank God not all players look only at salary but also at winning many titles and to grow more.”
Casemiro initially hit back at those claims and has now opened up even further on why he decided to join Man Utd after leaving Madrid. Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “Without a doubt it was down to the great stature, because it’s a massive club with a great history.
“I think that the great standing this club has in the game and its great history are definitely the most important reasons to be here. It’s also a fresh set of goals in a brand new league for me.
“So that presents a really big and exciting challenge for me and I’m working really hard to achieve them alongside my teammates.”
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Casemiro has enjoyed an extremely bright start to life at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag. Before the enforced break for the World Cup, the Brazilian had made 18 appearances in all competitions and netted his first goal in a dramatic draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
He has already laid down his ambitions of lifting silverware during his time with the club. “Well at the end of the day, when you go to a club you always want to pick up as many victories and trophies as you possibly can but I’m the kind of person who takes things match by match,” Casemiro continued.
“I think the key right now is to have a strong and solid team that can compete. Of course, you’re always aiming at winning trophies, but I believe that we have to think about each game as it comes, we’re on a good run of and we’re growing and improving with each game that we play.So that’s how we should be thinking really, I’m not one for looking too far ahead. I prefer to enjoy the present.
"So I just focus on the next game and of course as a result in the end we all want to win silverware, but I’m the type of player who wants to keep on amassing win after win after win.”
