Manchester United new boy Casemiro pleads with Cristiano Ronaldo to STAY at Old Trafford

Casemiro has pleaded with Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Manchester United, following a summer full of speculation that the Portugal international is set to leave the club.

The midfielder made the shock switch to Old Trafford last week and in an interview with ESPN Brazil he called Ronaldo ‘one of the best players of all time’ and stated that he hopes his former Real Madrid team-mate will reconsider his attempts to quit United.

‘We are talking about one of the best players of all time,’ the Brazilian said. ‘He knows that I respect him a lot. I hope he stays with us, because he is a great player.’

Speculation has been rampant regarding the Portuguese striker’s future at Old Trafford

‘He gives you a lot of goals, he is a winner, he is a leader. He is so important for us. We approached each other because of the language, too. Since the first day here, he has helped me with everything. He is helping me a lot. I really hope he stays with us.’ 

The pair had previously spent time five seasons together at Real Madrid, winning four Champions League trophies alongside one another at the Bernabeu before Ronaldo’s move to Juventus in 2018.

After playing a key role in securing another Champions League win for the Spanish giants in May, Casemiro’s decision to make the switch to a team that has not even qualified for the competition this season certainly raised a few eyebrows.

Speaking about the £70million move, the Brazilian midfielder insisted that his past successes in Europe will not hamper his desire to win move silverware at Old Trafford.

Casemiro has joined United in a £70million deal after a trophy-laden spell at Real Madrid

 The pair spent time five seasons together in Madrid, winning four Champions League trophies

‘Well, I have five [Champions League’s], right?’ he joked. ‘But, it’s not because I have five that I don’t want to win with Manchester. The Champions League is the most important championship and everyone wants to win it. 

‘As I said in my farewell at Real Madrid, I felt that it was an end of a cycle. I had the sensation that I gave everything for that club. I’m 30 years old, I’m feeling so strong. I want to learn a lot. I want to learn new things. I want to change.

‘If it had happened three years ago, maybe I wouldn’t have this desire to change. But I’m still 30 years old. So, this desire is too good for me. I’m feeling like a boy. I want to help, I want to play, I want to help the players. I want to help Manchester United.’

Though he was not registered in time to feature in United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday, Casemiro will likely make his debut for Erik ten Hag’s team when they travel to Southampton on Saturday.