Casemiro has made a shock claim that the best season of his career was his first at Manchester United.
The midfielder, 32, may have won 18 trophies, including five Champions League titles, while at Real Madrid but he reckons his debut campaign at Old Trafford - where he helped United to the Carabao Cup - was the period where he performed to the highest level.
And with his future at Old Trafford continuously being called into question the Brazil international has also suggested that he is determined to remain at struggling United and fight for his place.
He returned to the starting line-up for United’s latest defeat away to Spurs on Sunday afternoon, his first appearance in the Premier League since December.
"Looking at my career, individually, my best season as a professional footballer was the first with Manchester 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 version of Casemiro in my first year."
Casemiro then said that he is planning to see out the rest of his contract at United despite falling down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim.
And with 18 months remaining on his deal the 32-year-old has said he would like to remain in Manchester despite firm interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
As quoted by AS, Casemiro said: "Above all, I respect Manchester 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."
Casemiro is one of the Premier League’s top earners, with a weekly pay packet of £350,000, and United remain eager to offload their big salary players to allow for a squad rebuild in the summer.