Casemiro: Carlo Ancelotti cried when I joined Manchester United from Real Madrid - 'It wasn't easy to leave'

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has revealed that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti cried after finding out about his departure to the Premier League club.

Casemiro spent nine years with the Liga giants and enjoyed a successful career in Spain, winning three league titles and five UEFA Champions League titles.

The Brazil international moved to Old Trafford for a reported fee of £60 million last season, helping United win the Carabao Cup and finish in the top three.

However, Casemiro has said that he came close to staying at Madrid after he saw Ancelotti in tears over the deal.

"I haven't told this to anyone before," Casemiro told El Chiringuito de Jugones. "I only doubted my move to Manchester once. I remember it was a Friday afternoon and it [the deal] was all but done except for my signature. People knew that it was done.

"I went to speak with Ancelotti. I went into his office and he already knew. I opened the door and when I turned [towards him], Ancelotti was crying. I told him: 'You can't be crying. Anyone but you'.

"He told me: 'Case, I don't know why I'm crying, but I'm very fond of you and I don't want you to leave.' That was the moment [I doubted]... I realised how many people loved me there. But I had already given my word, and my word is more important than anything else."

Casemiro has endured a tougher second season at Old Trafford after an injury-hit campaign has led to a dip in form.

Erik ten Hag's team were dumped out of Europe in December and face a near-impossible task to finish in top four this term - they are 13 points behind Aston Villa with six matches remaining.

Casemiro recently admitted that he struggled to sleep when thinking about the club's disappointing campaign so far.

However, he said he doesn't regret moving to United.

"I had won everything [at Madrid]," he added. "I wanted a new experience. It wasn't easy to leave but I had it clear in my mind that I wanted new things such as to learn a new language, to compete in a different league.

"I still had a good age where I could continue to compete, grow in a different club. From the first day I arrived here, Manchester [United] have treated me very well."

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