Casemiro insists he has not left Real Madrid for Manchester United purely for financial reasons.
The 30-year-old is expected to be unveiled as a Reds midfielder imminently, becoming the fourth signing of the Erik ten Hag era. The Brazilian said he was “excited” to become a United player in a Madrid press conference on Monday.
He he could turn out to be the deep-lying midfielder that United have been crying out for for several years and brings experience from five Champions League and three La Liga successes. Casemiro racked up 336 appearances for Madrid in all, contributing 31 goals and 29 assists.
READ MORE: Casemiro speaks about United for first time since agreeing to transfer
But United will be most pleased about the defensive qualities he offers and fans will hope he can be the man to plug the gap in the centre of the park. However, a small number of onlookers have questioned his transfer to a United team struggling for confidence and form.
They moot that he has taken the move for financial reasons after many trophy-laden years in Spain. But Casemiro promptly pushed back at these suggestions when they were put to him in Monday’s press conference.
“Those who think that don’t know me,” he said. “I’m not like that. If it was for money, then I could have left four or five years ago. The club always acted well with me. It was my decision. It was simply the feeling that my cycle here had come to an end. This was clear to me.”
The MEN understands reports Casemiro will double his Madrid wages at United are wide of the mark, though he is set to become one of their best-paid players.
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