Casemiro was given the perfect unveiling earlier this week as he paraded Old Trafford in front of a raucous crowd ahead of Monday night’s 2-1 win over Liverpool.
The Brazil international is United’s most high-profile signing this summer and he will vastly strengthen Erik ten Hag’s midfield, having also brought in Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
Casemiro has signed a four-year contract with the option of an additional year and speaking ahead of this weekend’s round of games, Ten Hag has confirmed that his latest recruit is available for selection.
Now, Casemiro has admitted that he ‘badly’ wants to play for the club ahead of his potential debut against Southampton on Saturday.
“I’m looking like a 20-year-old boy, wanting so badly to play for Manchester,” Casemiro told ESPN Brasil, via the official Manchester United website.
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“My work will not change. Just changing clubs, after so much time at Real, makes my stomach flutter. But it’s what I said, the illusion of being here, the will, the happiness. I don’t know how to express it very well, of all the words, I think illusion is what can describe the feeling of being here.
“The feeling of being in a big club and being able to play in a big league like the Premier League is very good and very important.
“My style of play, everyone knows, I don’t have to repeat it over and over again. But, as I’ve said, I want to help my team-mates, I want to help Manchester, the coaching staff. If I have to act in another role, I have no problem, I’m more of a soldier. Everyone knows my quality. Everyone knows my great success for being here, everyone knows me, I’m here to help.”
SN’s verdict…
Unfortunately for United supporters, it’s been a recurring theme that the club has signed players that have suddenly become available on the market and are not completely sold on the idea of playing at Old Trafford.
In Casemiro, you have a player who actively pushed to join the club and he is evidently desperate to build a bond with the supporters.
On the pitch, his quality is undeniable. Off the pitch, it’s hard to come by role models and if feels like United have done just that by bringing Casemiro in.
