Casemiro makes plea to ‘special’ manager after clarifying his position on Man United exit

Casemiro clarified his stance on leaving Manchester United earlier this month with the midfielder now discussing the 2026 World Cup

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro wants Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti to select Neymar in their World Cup squad to be the team’s game changer this summer.

Neymar, 34, has not played for the national team since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee two-and-a-half years ago. The country’s all-time top scorer needed minor surgery on the same knee late last year and had another procedure during the last international break.

After leaving Al-Hilal almost 18 months ago, Neymar is back playing for his boyhood club Santos. He has now returned to form and fitness days before Ancelotti names his Brazil squad.

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Casemiro is convinced. He said during an appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube Channel: “My decision, yes, but (the) decision you need to (make) first is (tell him), ‘hey, Neymar, you don’t play every game.’

“He plays every game. For me, it’s not perfect for him, I think he comes, and the game is not finished, the game is new, new. And (contributing) a special assist, a special goal is (the role) for him.”

Ferdinand added: “He could change the game,” and Casemiro agreed: “Yeah, change the game, and we don’t have this player in this moment, we don’t have, so, for me, in my opinion (yes), but it’s Ancelotti’s decision.”

Asked about the importance of his relationship with his former Real Madrid coach who reintroduced the United star to the international setup last year, Casemiro said: “I have good, very good feelings with him.

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“He’s my friend, he’s my friend, I know what he likes, what he doesn’t like, I know everything, I’ve known Ancelotti for a long time, he’s (been) my friend for a long time, so I know sometimes I push here, I don’t push here, I know everything about Ancelotti.

“Ancelotti is in the top three in the world. In the last 15 years, he’s (been) the best. He’s the best, so Ancelotti is not just my manager, he’s my friend.”

Asked what makes the Italian special, Casemiro explained: “For me, the first thing is (that) he talks about what the players like to lose. You know? What the players like, and ‘I give you one thing, you give me this’, but it’s impossible to win with just a good manager, you need a good tactic, tactical.

“You need to know about this; it’s impossible to have just one good thing. For winning trophies, you need everything, but for me, the best thing is a very good manager, he understands the players.”

Casemiro will be able to pick a good manager to work with this summer as a free agent. He clarified his stance on leaving United earlier this month.

The 34-year-old told ESPN that there is no chance of him changing his mind and staying. Casemiro said: “I don’t think there’s a chance, there’s no chance, mostly because of what I said, you know? Go out the big door.

“I think it was four beautiful, wonderful years, and I am eternally grateful not only to the club, but to the fans, but I think I have to leave on good terms, I have to go out on top. “I will be an eternal United fan here in England, and I just have to thank all the love from the fans.”

Head to the Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel to watch part 1 of the full interview live from 8am on Tuesday, 12th May.