Toni Kroos tears into Casemiro sale as Real Madrid star reveals true reasons behind Man Utd transfer

Casemiro’s former Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos has admitted he was “surprised” and saddened by the midfielder’s decision to move to Manchester United.

Transfers between United and Real Madrid have not been uncommon in modern football. However, the highest profile transfers have usually been the ones from Manchester to Madrid.

Indeed, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo both made huge moves to the Bernabeu after leaving Old Trafford.

However, of late, it has been more common for players to head in the opposite direction. Raphael Varane and Casemiro have both walked through the door at Old Trafford after leaving the Madrid side in the past couple of years.

Both men have shown their quality in the United side since joining, too. Varane, this season especially, has been one of the shining lights in the United side.

He missed just one league game before sustaining an injury. Former United defender Rio Ferdinand hailed him for his impact before that injury occurred.

Casemiro, who joined this summer, was eased in with a few appearances from the bench. He has quickly shown how influential he is at United, though.

His experience shows in his passing and his defensive capabilities. The Brazilian also cropped up with a crucial late equaliser against Chelsea in a 1-1 draw in October.

Casemiro move a surprise

Indeed, Casemiro appears to be relishing his time at United. The Brazilian has evidently hit his straps over the past few games.

It seems the move was not received as well by everybody, though. Indeed, the midfielder’s former Real Madrid teammate, Kroos, has revealed his surprise and sadness at Casemiro moving on.

“I was surprised by Casemiro’s departure. It is true that the rumours started two days before, but here there are always many rumours and many times nothing happens,” he said on Spanish TV.

“But when he told me I was sad, because I began to remember all the years with him and the things we win together.”

Revealing his true feelings on the move, he indicates the move was very much money motivated.

The Premier League has not won an international title this year.

“Television money has been significantly higher in England for years and yet it hasn’t resulted in English teams winning everything. Thank God not all players look only at salary but also at winning.”

Indeed, the midfielders have enjoyed a good period of their careers playing alongside one another.

In the space of eight seasons, they won five Champions League titles, as well as winning La Liga three times. On top of that, Real won a number of other honours.

Move does make plenty of sense

Indeed, it makes sense as to why Kroos was saddened that Casemiro would leave Real for United, who have not won a trophy since 2017.

However, he is in good form, and United are clearly a better side for that.

Real are not doing too badly for themselves without the Brazilian’s influence, either. They are currently top of La Liga, having not lost a game so far.

They also topped their Champions League group, scoring 15 goals in six games in the process. As such, it does not seem to be a move that has worked out badly for either side, no matter how it was perceived.

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