New Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is a “warrior” who will thrive at Old Trafford, according to former Real Madrid team-mate Raphael Varane.
Brazil star Casemiro completed his move from Real to United, for a fee rising to £70million, and was presented at Old Trafford before Monday's 2-1 win over Liverpool.
Defender Varane, who played alongside Casemiro for eight years at the Bernabeu, said the 30-year-old will relish the new challenge at United and bring a winning mindset to the club. France international Varane said: “I know perfectly his quality. He can bring this balance to the team and his mentality.
"He's a warrior, so I think he will really enjoy English football. I think it was a perfect night for him to meet Old Trafford, because the atmosphere was absolutely amazing, and he brought a victory, so it was nice.” Varane denied he talked Casemiro into joining United, but said the midfielder needed a new challenge – just as he did when he left Real a year ago.
“He doesn't need my help to make his choice,” said Varane. “I know exactly what he feels and why he's coming here after what he lived in Madrid. He needs a new challenge, I know exactly what he feels, and I know exactly why he chose this club. It's a similar process that I had, so obviously I wish him the best and I'm speaking with him a lot, but he didn't need me to make his choice.”
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After United's victory over Liverpool, United boss Erik ten Hag explained how five-time Champions League winner Casemiro can make a huge impact at Old Trafford. “He has won so many trophies in his career,” Ten Hag said. “He knows the road: how you win games and finally how you win trophies. We [now] have more players who have won already many trophies in their career. That has to be a guidance for the rest of the team so they know and they understand how to win games.
“When you want to make a winning team, you need more leaders and we need the spirit that we showed [against Liverpool]. I think he Bruno Fernandes took the responsibility and I think it encouraged him, the captaincy, and I think he showed leadership together with Rapha Varane. I think definitely on the pitch, they make a huge difference, but that is what they have to bring, and it’s not just those two, I think we need more leaders."
