By Betsefy
Casemiro has been granted a work permit to officially complete his move to Manchester United, with the midfielder cleared to make his debut against Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Red Devils confirmed the 30-year-old’s signature on Monday evening, and he was presented to the club’s supporters ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
Casemiro had been waiting for his work permit to be granted but that has now been issued, meaning that he will be available for Saturday’s clash with Southampton.
“Well, firstly, many thanks. There’s no doubt I’m really excited. I’ve been very warmly welcomed. I’ve already felt that special affection from everyone towards me and of course that’s really important,” the Brazil international told journalist Andy Mitten in an official interview.
“I felt that great affection from the moment I arrived and I think it’s a new challenge. I’m absolutely delighted. I feel like I’m 20 or 18 years of age, I’m raring to go, I’m excited to be amongst my teammates, playing in the stadium and I think that it’s just huge excitement and I’m absolutely delighted.
© Reuters
“We know there’s a great deal of history here. It’s a club that has a lot of history, not just the stadium but the club as well. It has won everything and I want to meet my teammates and help the team and I’m one more player at Manchester United.
“I’m coming back here, 15 years later. I don’t know whether many people know this but I played in a competition here when I was 15, When I was at Sao Paulo, and you have that film that runs through your mind that 15 years later you come back here to play for Manchester United and not in your wildest dreams would you imagine yourself playing here.
“Obviously when I played in that Nike Cup I would have liked to come here and now that I’m here again I’m the happiest man alive and I can’t wait to produce on the pitch and help out my teammates and to help Manchester United to win games and to go on to win trophies.
“It’s the biggest club in England. It’s the club with the most amount of titles. So, I’m really happy and just can’t wait to get going.
“The Premier League is a dream to play in. It’s a wonderful league. The respect that fans have for players, the players have for fans, the players with the referees, the referees with the players, the passion of the clubs… when go from the airport to the city, you feel that the city has football in the air and I think that stadium also speaks for itself. The ground breathes football and I’m delighted to be here.”
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When asked how he would describe himself, Casemiro said that he is “a player that gives everything” and has vowed to help Man United in their bid to return to former glories.
“I think I’m a player that loves to work hard. A player that gives everything on the pitch, but not just over 90 minutes, in training too, which for me is the most important thing,” he added.
“You train as you play and I think, regardless of the scoreline or what’s happening on the pitch, of course everyone wants to win matches, win in training, learn in training, but I’m one of those players who wants to go home and know that I’ve done my job so, that’s my philosophy, my mentality and now it’s all about giving everything for Manchester United.”
First day of United training ✔️
💪 @Casemiro #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Yj2btykjQS
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 25, 2022
Casemiro trained alongside his new teammates for the first time on Thursday, and head coach Erik ten Hag has a decision to make over his involvement against Southampton.
Scott McTominay played alongside Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes in midfield against Liverpool on Monday evening, but Casemiro could replace the Scotland international in the XI for the clash at St Mary’s.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw dropped to the bench for the clash with Jurgen Klopp‘s side and are likely to be among the substitutes once again this weekend.
