Casemiro has lifted the lid on his “special relationship” with his Manchester United and Brazil teammate Fred, who is a “great player”.
The defensive midfielder is Man Utd’s most expensive summer signing to date, with him joining them for an initial £60m from Real Madrid.
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The Red Devils will end up paying more to sign Ajax winger Antony, if the player and club get their wish before September 1.
Antony has been linked with Man Utd for months but the same cannot be said for Casemiro.
The 30-year-old has proven to be an alternative to Frenkie de Jong, who now looks increasingly likely to stay on at Barcelona until January at least.
De Jong has never seemed open to join United, while Casemiro has claimed that signing for the club has made him the “happiest man alive”.
Scott McTominay may be a bit gutted to hear that the midfielder has also heaped praise on Fred before the Scotsman likely falls down the pecking order:
“Well, before coming here I spoke to Fred. He’s a friend who I’ve played alongside in the national team for a good number of games and years. I know him well. He’s a great player,” Casemiro told MUTV.
“That’s why he plays for Manchester United and for the Brazilian national team, which is difficult to get into. So, I have a special relationship with him and of course he’s a great player and that’s why he plays for Manchester United.
“Fred has a lot of qualities. I think he’s a player that has good movement. He’s very mobile, passes the ball well, he has a good shot on him, he can play with both feet, left or right, he can pass the ball well with either foot. He’s a great player.
“Again, that’s why he plays for the Brazil and he’s a very important player at this club and I think he’ll help me a great deal as he’s Brazilian. I think he’ll help me a lot at the club and without doubt it’s important for me to have another Brazilian here, too.”
He added: “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. You train as you play.”
