CASIMIRO said his final goodbyes to Real and was introduced as a United player on the field in preparation for their Monday Night Football matchup with Liverpool.

Casemiro has signed a four-year contract with a further 12-month option at Old Trafford, and Manchester United paid Real Madrid an initial £60 million plus £10 million in add-ons for him. The Brazilian was introduced before the Monday Night Football matchup with Liverpool. 

In a £70 million deal, Manchester United has officially announced the acquisition of Casemiro from Real Madrid. Erik ten Hag has called the Brazilian midfielder “THE cement between the stones.” 

The Brazilian signed a four-year deal at Old Trafford with an option for an additional year, and United paid the Spanish powerhouses an initial £60 million plus a further £10 million.

The Brazilian said on the club’s official website: “I have worked with many great managers in my career, and after meeting with Erik and hearing about his ideas, I can’t wait to collaborate closely with him, his staff, and my new teammates in the years to come.

“He is the cement between the stones. That’s what we have looking for in the summer. We’ve found him and I am really happy.” – Ten Hag, Manchester United mananger

Before Manchester United’s match against Liverpool, Erik ten Hag discusses the latest on Casemiro and other pre-game topics. 

Roy Keane and Gary Neville, two former United stalwarts and Premier League experts, have criticized the signing of Casimero as a sign of desperation. This might be high time to set more focus on future Man U matches as the saying goes, “desperate times call for desperate measures.” Or is this even really a desperate move or totally something else in strategy.

He is receiving a lucrative long-term contract, similar to how Christian Eriksen received a three year contract.  Former United captain and midfielder Keane comments: “They ARE desperate,” and continues saying “The agent must delighted with that deal with Manchester United. When you’re desperate you pay over the odds, I suppose.”

“I don’t get as excited about the signings that Man United make at the moment as I know they’re not part of the strategy at the start of the summer,” added Neville. “Every other club is really precise, you don’t see them pinging around like a pinball in the transfer market, from one to the other.”

He continues saying, “It’s Frenkie De Jong, to Adrien Rabiot and then it ends up being Casemiro on a phenomenal contract that will cost the club £160m.”

“I have to say, I think he’ll do well for a couple years for the club, Casemiro. But someone in two years time is going to pick up a player who will be beyond his best years on £ 20m who they can’t shift. It may be Erik ten Hag, it may be another manager, it could be new owners. There is a large element of desperation with the signing because a five-year deal for a 30-year-old should not happen,” he states speculatively on the matter.

Casemiro however clarifies, it is not about the money

“If it was about money I would have left four or five years ago. Those people who think that are wrong, they don’t know me at all.” – Casemiro against the speculatoins

Before leaving for Manchester United, Casemiro delivered a tearful farewell speech to Real Madrid. 

The Brazilian claimed during his final press conference with Real Madrid that money was not the reason for his decision to join United. The 30-year-old also claimed that he had joined “the biggest squad in the world” after nine years with Real.

“The club has always treated me very well. It’s my decision, my path.”

The controversial athlete clarifies further, if it was all about the money as many had already speculated, then he would have done this – transferred 4 years ago. He continues to rant, they must not know him well enough to have said such.

“The club has always treated me very well. It’s my decision, my path.”

Although Casemiro was highly regarded by Real manager Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian manager acknowledged the player wanted “to try a new challenge” in a Friday interview. Something more on exploration of possibilities and capabilities, than monetary gain. A strategic move maybe?

Ancelotti said that he had talked to him already, “He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity. I and the club understand it.”

“With what he’s done at this club and the person he is, we have to respect it. We wish him all the best in his next challenge.” Ancelotti continues.

Casemiro’s playing time couldn’t be guaranteed by Real, thus it was thought prudent to have his salaries taken off the books in exchange for a sizable transfer fee. 

For years, United has been in severe need of a defensive midfielder, and the 30 year old player has qualities that team manager Erik ten Hag lacks.

The former Sao Paulo player has played for Madrid more than 300 times and has participated in five Champions League victories. After Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, and Christian Eriksen, Casemiro is United’s fourth summer signing.