Casemiro explains why he almost CANCELED his £70m move to Man United from Real Madrid… as the Brazilian star reveals an emotional conversation with Carlo Ancelotti almost changed his mind

Casemiro has revealed that seeing Carlo Ancelotti in tears almost made him give up on joining Manchester United in 2022.

The Brazilian midfielder left Real Madrid after nine seasons for £60million after winning five Champions League titles.

He was excited by the move, but Casemiro says he had doubts about it after Ancelotti – the usually imperturbable Senor managing Madrid with effortless equanimity – was reduced to a bloody wreck in his office.

“I remember it was a Friday and almost everything was done; the only thing missing was my signature, and I just had to take my medical exam. But it was already done,” Casemiro told El Chiringuito de Jugones.

“I went to speak to Mr (Ancelotti) because I was supposed to train, but I couldn’t train (because the transfer was imminent). People knew the transfer was over, but it was necessary even though I’m here.

Casemiro joined United in 2022 after nine highly successful years with Real Madrid.

“And so I go to speak to Ancelotti and he already knew I was leaving. I walked into his office and when he turned around I saw he was crying. Ancelotti was crying.

“And I’m like, ‘Why are you crying? No, you can’t cry.” And Carlo told me that he didn’t want me to leave and that he loved me very much… and at that moment I doubted (this decision) and I I realized how many people love me here.

“But I was already committed to it; I gave my word (to United), and my word is more important than anything. But it was the only time.

Ancelotti’s sadness is understandable given that Casemiro has built a reputation as one of, if not the best, defensive midfielders in the world at Madrid.

His toughness and awareness gave them a solid foundation for their most talented players to flourish and move freely in the future. Two of his Champions League titles were won under the tutelage of Ancelotti.

He was a revelation in his first season at United but has struggled for consistency this season.

Jamie Redknapp criticized him for his performance in United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, saying he “looks like he’s starring in Soccer Aid”.

Casemiro, 32, recently said he has had sleepless nights because of United’s turbulent form.

Ancelotti doesn’t usually show much emotion but was clearly moved by Casemiro’s departure

The midfielder won five Champions League titles at Madrid, including two with Ancelotti.

‘It is difficult. This is the point that bothers me the most about not fighting for titles,” he told ESPN Brazil.

“To be 20 points behind first place. Sometimes I can’t even sleep trying to think of doing something different. It is reality. There’s no point thinking about the title or the Champions League places, we need to think about today’s matches.

His future at Old Trafford is up in the air as Sir Jim Ratcliffe will no doubt want to leave what he considers to be deadwood this summer.

An exit route could take him to the Saudi Pro League.

In December, Mail Sport exclusively revealed how John Murtough, the club’s then director of football, had traveled to Saudi Arabia to discuss the sale of players.

Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho were among the players United were prepared to sell to raise funds.