Manchester United midfielder Casemiro says Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was desperate for him not to leave.

Casemiro is now in his second season at United.

He told El Chiringuito: "I enter his (Ancelotti's) office, he turns and was crying.

"I had won it all. Not that I wasn't going to keep squeezing, but I wanted new things. They didn't let me out that easy, but I wanted to learn a new language, play in another league. United has been very good from day one.

"I decided to leave a little after winning the Champions League. I already saw that my time in Madrid had ended, I was old enough to go, I wanted to keep growing. The decision was not easy, people loved me very much.

"I only hesitated once to leave Madrid for Manchester United. It was a Friday and everything was done. I had to train and I did not train, only the signature was missing. I'm going to talk to Ancelotti and he already knew I was leaving. I go into his office, he turns and he was crying. Carlo told me that he did not want me to leave, that he loved me very much ... and there I hesitated.

"In Madrid they loved me very much, but I had already given my word to United and that is more important than anything."

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Timberwolves chew up Nuggets to force Game 7
Rangers secure spot in conference finals after stunning third-period comeback over Hurricanes
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
Yankees' Hal Steinbrenner shares massive Juan Soto contract update
Steelers' Cameron Heyward addresses contract holdout
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney gives smug response about not using transfer portal
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024
Steve Cohen addresses if Mets could again be trade-deadline sellers
Tiger Woods ruins strong first round with sloppy finish at PGA Championship
NFL responds to speculation about Chiefs schedule and Taylor Swift
Despite hopes for change, NASCAR championship weekend will return to Phoenix in 2025
Chiefs will achieve something not done since 1927 with 2024 schedule
Yankees' Aaron Judge comments on resurgence after bad slump

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.