CASEMIRO claims his first season at Manchester United was his best ever despite mixed fortunes in the Premier League.
The midfielder joined United following a £70million deal with Real Madrid in 2022.
The Brazil international enjoyed tremendous success during his nine-year stint at Real where he won three LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey and five Champions League trophies.
However, the 32-year-old hasn't been able to replicate the same success at Man Utd, despite winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his first two years with the club.
Some of Casemiro's performances the last two seasons have been heavily criticised, especially from pundits such as Jamie Carragher who strongly advised him to move to Saudi Arabia or the MLS.
However, the Brazilian is adamant that his debut season at Old Trafford featured the best ever version of himself as he amassed a total of seven goals and seven assists in 53 appearances.
Casemiro told AS: "It was the perfect time. I had won everything with Madrid and I had to take on other challenges. Looking at my career, individually, my best season as a professional footballer was the first with United.
"I'm not saying collectively in terms of titles. Madrid's Champions League is the ultimate, but as a player I think Old Trafford saw the best Casemiro in my first year."
Casemiro insists he still has a lot to offer to United despite a few sub par performances, which have seen him falling out of favour under new manager Ruben Amorim.
So much so that the defensive midfielder, who started his first Premier League game of 2025 in Sunday's 1-0 loss to Spurs, wants to see out his £375,000-a-week contract, which runs out in 2026.
Casemiro said: "I have to keep doing what I'm doing, with a lot of respect and education. Of course I'd like to play more, of course. I don't know any player who doesn't want to play and help.
"Also, I'd like to help the club at this time. I approach things with respect for my team-mates and the technical committee.
"And above all, I respect United, a club to which I'm very grateful. I have a year and a half left on my contract and I'd like to fulfil it here in Manchester. I'm comfortable here and so is my family.
"They've adapted, we speak English. I'm very grateful to the Old Trafford fans and to the club. I'm happy at club level. Happy in the bench? Of course not. That's another thing."
Casemiro is no stranger to winning over demanding managers throughout his 14-year career at the top level.
The versatile midfielder has shone bright for the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane at Real as well as Tite in Brazil - the trio who he considers his "top three" coaches.
Casemiro added: "Nobody wins so many titles just by being nice, although he is. I have a huge affection for Ancelotti.
"For me he is in the top three of the coaches I have had, along with Zidane, of course, and Tite, who was the coach of Brazil. I have had others who have left their mark on me, like [Jose] Mourinho or [Julen] Lopetegui.
Casemiro's Man City warning
"But Ancelotti is an old-school coach who didn't stay stuck in the old school. Carlo modernised like football. Tactics, physical preparation… Ancelotti didn't stay stuck in the old school.
"He has the intelligence and calmness of an old coach, but with the intelligence of the new ones. An ideal mix. An incredible coach because of him and his staff.
"Carlo is different from others and has known how to mark an era. In football there are several ways to win. [Pep] Guardiola's tiki-taka, the intensity and living the passion of football like [Jurgen] Klopp, the defensive power of [Diego] Simeone, for whom I have a lot of respect…"
Casemiro continues to follow Real's matches and rooted for them during their most recent 3-2 victory over his current club's rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.
The Brazilian is confident his former club can make it to the Champions League's last 16 thanks to the Santiago Bernabeu factor but warned them not to underestimate Man Utd's noisy neighbours.
Casemiro still backs Real
Casemiro stated: "It wasn't a surprise to me. Madrid almost always does it and everyone knows the history of this team and what it is capable of doing.
"Madrid always grows until the end and never gives up. Even losing 2-1, I knew there was a lot to play for. And that's City and a great coach like Guardiola. But they did it.
"On top of that, the return leg will be at the Bernabeu with a great result after the 2-3. It won't be easy, but the Bernabeu, on those Champions League nights, is very special.
"I wish all the luck in the world to my former team-mates and not only because of my rivalry with City, but more so for Madrid. I hope they get through to the last 16. Even if it hadn't been against City, I'll always want Madrid to win. Unless we meet one day, of course…
"Yes, this is the Bernabeu. But be careful, it's going to be difficult. City aren't at their best, but they're City. They have [Erling] Haaland, [Kevin] De Bruyne, a great goalkeeper like Ederson.
"Madrid, together with the Bernabeu, are going to make it very difficult for City. I hope Madrid makes it to the last 16."