1772034100778.png)
Casemiro: Lingard move good for Brazilian league
Casemiro believes Jesse Lingard's move to Corinthians will enhance the top flight of Brazilian football.
Jesse first joined United as a seven-year-old and progressed through the age groups to be part of the team which won the FA Youth Cup in 2011.
Like many Academy products at our club, he made the pathway to the first team and was given his competitive debut under Louis van Gaal in August 2015.
The former England forward went on to play 232 times for his boyhood club, scoring 35 goals and registering 21 assists, before leaving Old Trafford in the summer of 2022.
Thanks for the memories, Jesse
As Jesse Lingard leaves United, here are some of the best moments from his time with the club…
After spending a season at Nottingham Forest, Lingard swapped England for South Korea, where he played in the K-League for FC Seoul for nearly two years and was captain during his second season, before departing in December 2025.
The 33-year-old signed a one-year deal with Corinthians last month and, in the second part of our exclusive fans’ Q&A, Casemiro was asked if he will be keeping tabs on the former Red’s progress in his native country.
“Of course, a player of this level - especially one who played in one of the biggest clubs in Europe, here at Manchester United - to play at Corinthians is welcome for the league,” said our no.18, in response to a question by Arnold from Kenya.
“Each year, the league is getting more competitive and more interesting. It will be important to have these players in the league, and I wish him the best, that everything goes well in Corinthians."
From tourist tips to playing at this summer’s World Cup, here’s how our departing midfielder answered our fans’ other questions all about Brazil…
Craig (Ireland): I’m hoping to visit Brazil soon, what are your top three most important things to go and see?
“The food, the beaches, all of the Brazilian coast. For me, the most special part of Brazil is the people - the people are so kind there. They are very happy, even if they have little. They are so nice.”
Watch part two of Casemiro’s Q&A
Best-ever Brazilians, favourite chants, funny moments and more: it’s the second part of Casemiro’s Fans’ Q&A…
Clark (Canada): How much are you looking forward to the World Cup and what are Brazil’s chances? How much would it mean to you to captain the team?
“I think playing with the Brazilian national team in a World Cup is one of the biggest dreams for a Brazilian. Especially for the huge number of players that could be in your position. So, for me, it is an amazing feeling and one of the most difficult things for a Brazilian, or for any footballer, is to play [at] a World Cup for Brazil. I think we will arrive in good shape, we have a good squad and good players. We are close but, at the same time, there is a long way to go. It doesn’t matter what we are doing now if we can’t carry that into June and July. What matters is what happens at the World Cup.”
Mark (United Kingdom): Case, who do you rate as the best-ever Brazilian player? Mine is Pele, who I was lucky enough to watch at the 1966 World Cup…
“I never actually saw Pele, but for Brazilians, Pele is the number one. I have so much respect for what he did for football and for who he is in football and continues to be. But I am from a more recent time. I like many. Brazil has many good players: Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, Kaka, Gilberto Silva, Dunga, Mauro Silva, Zico, Cafu, Dida. It is difficult to choose just one, but they are the ones I remember more recently.”