Casemiro: My ambitions for new season

But in our recent interview with the Brazilian midfielder, marking his three years at United, you really get a sense of how much past and future successes drive him as a player and a person.

This season is a big one for him. It’s his fourth at United and, having started each of our three Premier League outings to date, he’s determined to be an important player for a Reds side that is intent on making a marked improvement, after last term’s struggles.

If the 33-year-old can do that, he’ll be well-placed to represent Brazil at this summer’s World Cup in North America – something that he also has one eye on, having been recalled to the squad since his former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was appointed the national team’s head coach in May.

“To have a great year,” Casemiro begins when asked what his personal ambitions are for this season. “To have a great year at the top level, because at the end of the season we have the World Cup.

“So, I want to arrive at the World Cup in good form. I want to enjoy the year, to arrive in top form, and it is the title that I am missing. 

“So, I want to win titles, titles here. We have new signings of top quality that will help us a lot.”

Brazil is home for Casemiro, and representing his nation is something he takes immense pride in. It’s something he’s done at senior level for way over a decade.

But in United and Manchester, he’s found a home from home since leaving Real Madrid in 2022. 

The support from our fans, something the midfielder has felt since day one, has a big part to play in the sense of comfort our no.18 and his family have here.

“It’s a pleasure,” he tells club media’s Harry Robinson about playing for United and his time here to date. “It’s a pleasure to leave a mark on this huge club. I want to thank not only the club, but also the fans. They have been amazing.

“Both myself and my family, we are all very happy here. I have played five finals here, winning two of them, so overall good but you can always improve. You can always do better.

“I am enjoying it a lot and the truth is I’m very happy, and I feel like I’m at home.”

Casemiro will be hoping to make an impact for United again when he returns from representing Brazil in their final two World Cup qualifiers, against Chile and Bolivia this month. The Selecao have already secured their spot at the 2026 finals.

You can watch more of our interview with the midfielder here, while the full chat was published in the Burnley edition of our matchday programme, which remains available to buy online.