Casemiro: We need to speak about United fans

“It isn’t normal,” he says.

“It isn’t normal how good they are.”

The Brazilian midfielder has seen it all and won the lot. Try to name a big ground or famous atmosphere that the five-time Champions League-winner hasn’t experienced and you’ll struggle.

But Old Trafford? He thinks there’s something special there.

When Casemiro sat down with United Review, our beloved matchday programme, to preview the Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Club, it was clear he had something to say.

“I really think we have to talk about this and value this more,” he told UR, which you can pre-order for the big game here, or buy at the stadium kiosks on matchday.

“Of course, when you do not win, it is difficult to be loyal and support the team. This year, in the European competition, we are a little bit closer but, in the league, we aren’t where we should be, and we aren’t playing well. But the fans are something incredible. It isn’t normal how good they are.

"It isn’t normal how they support us and help us. The other night against Lyon was an unforgettable night in my career and something incredible, an incredible game.

“They always support us — whether we are playing well or badly. When I get home, I speak with my family or my inner circle about what the fans are like here.

“All I can say, from my heart, is thank you very much. If they didn’t support us like they do, it would be even more difficult, so the thing we have to say to everyone who comes to games here, and to the whole city, is it’s something incredible. So, all I can say is thank you, thank you very much."

NEW TIFO BANNER AT SEMI-FINAL

So, to Thursday, and another big Old Trafford atmosphere is required to help United build on last week’s fantastic away victory and ensure we secure a spot in the final back in Bilbao.

A new tifo banner is being prepared by the club and fan groups after the proposal was approved by captain Bruno Fernandes. While the exact design won’t be revealed until the moment it’s unveiled on Thursday night, this is the second appearance of a tifo banner at Old Trafford, after the first in the ground’s history was unveiled before that dramatic quarter-final win over Lyon.

Learn more here.

ORDER UNITED REVIEW FOR A HISTORIC SEMI-FINAL

The opportunity to qualify for a European final at Old Trafford is a rare one. Think back. In 1968, we drew away at Real Madrid to secure our spot at Wembley, where we beat Benfica for our first continental crown. In 1999, it was away in Turin to qualify. In 2009, we won away at Arsenal in the second leg and in 2021, we progressed at Roma, behind closed doors.

So, this would be only the fifth occasion in our history where we can seal a European final place at the Theatre of Dreams. The others are:

1991 | European Cup-Winners’ Cup | Legia Warsaw

2008 | Champions League | Barcelona

2011 | Champions League | Schalke

2017 | Europa League | Celta Vigo

To get your matchday programme for this historic occasion, with a unique front cover, order now, or head to one of the stadium kiosks on matchday.