Casemiro’s swansong at Manchester United continued on an upward curve on Monday night – with the emotion of it all evident at full-time.
The midfielder produced a man-of-the-match display as the Red Devils beat Brentford 2-1 to strengthen their grip on third in the Premier League and move a step closer to securing Champions League football next season.
Casemiro opened the scoring with a header on 11 minutes but his all-round play shone at Old Trafford.
He made 11 tackles, won 16 duels and made nine clearances – becoming the only player in the last 20 seasons to record all of those numbers in a single Premier League match.
Three months ago, the 34-year-old announced that he will be leaving United at the end of the season when his contract expires.
And at full-time on Monday, he was visibly moved as he left the field to an adoring fan base, wiping away the tears.
Casemiro has opened up as to why he was crying at full-time of Manchester United’s latest win
The Brazilian scored the opener as United beat Brentford 2-1 on Monday night at Old Trafford
Speaking post-match, the Brazilian opened up on his love for United.
‘I spent most of my career in Spain playing for Real Madrid, where I won many trophies,’ he said, as quoted by AS.
‘But in just a few seasons at Manchester United, I’ve felt something different – something deep enough to make a grown man cry. Here, I truly feel at home.
‘At Real Madrid, winning trophies was incredible, but here at United, even a single victory feels just as significant – like lifting a trophy in its own right.
‘That connection with the fans, that sense of belonging… it’s powerful enough to move a grown man. And honestly, that’s why I couldn’t hold back my tears.’
Casemiro’s form has seen many Manchester United supporters clamour for him to make a U-turn and extend his stay at The Theatre of Dreams, but interim manager Michael Carrick has dismissed that notion.
‘It’s pretty clear – from both sides it’s pretty clear the decision,’ Carrick said.
‘It’s pretty clear, too, how much it means to him [playing for United] and probably the situation and the clarity of the decision has helped everything to be understandable for the supporters as well.
‘Credit to him because he’s given absolutely everything and had some big moments for us, so all round it’s quite a nice direction for it to be taken.’
