Veteran midfielder also backs Carrick to stay in charge and be successful next term
Serial winner Casemiro wants Manchester United to aim higher than a third-place finish next season after he leaves the club.
The Brazilian has called time on his stay at the club, after four years that saw him win the Carabao Cup and FA Cup with the Red Devils.
“When it comes to United, I always say that you have to think about titles, you always have to think about winning, about winning titles,” Casemiro said.
The veteran midfielder has been one of United’s outstanding performers this season, scoring nine goals, mostly through his incredible aerial capacity. His departure leaves a gaping hole in midfield that United will need to fill, and the fans will always remember his with incredible fondness.
“I’ve always liked to win titles, so I don’t think it’s been an ideal season,” the five-time Champions League winner said. “But it’s been a good season, especially because of the circumstances.
“But, I say again, you have to think about titles. United can’t be content with third place. United must always be thinking about titles and thinking about winning at the top of the table.
“And that for me has to be United’s thinking. In these circumstances, third place is very good. Playing Champions League next year is another European competition. But it has to be more. United must always be more.”
The midfielder also ruled out any possibilities of staying an additional year at the club.
“I don’t think there’s a chance,” Casemiro said. “There’s no chance. Mostly because of what I said, you know? Go out the big door. I think it was four beautiful, wonderful years and I am eternally grateful not only to the club, but to the fans.
“But I think I have to leave in good terms. I have to go out on top. I will be an eternal United fan here in England and I just have to thank all the love from the fans.”
Casemiro also backed Michael Carrick to take the Manchester United job on a permanent basis after his performance since taking charge in January.
United were sixth in the Premier League when Ruben Amorim was dismissed, having taken 31 points from 20 matches. But in 14 matches as caretaker manager, Carrick has overseen 10 wins and two draws to keep United just beneath title chasers Arsenal and Manchester City and secure qualification for the Champions League.
United have also recorded wins over the other four sides in the league’s top five this season.
“In my opinion, he completely deserves it,” Casemiro said. “I think he’s a guy who has already demonstrated that he has very good qualities to be a Manchester United coach.
“It’s not up to me to choose, it’s up to the club, but if I could give my opinion, of course he deserves it, and he deserves the club’s total trust.
“Of course, the season is year-round, but since he arrived, he’s been doing an incredible job and I think that with more time he has everything to be a great manager of Manchester United.
He’s a coach who knows the club, he’s a coach who was an idol at the club, he’s a coach who played a lot, won titles here, knows what the club is like, he knows what Manchester United is.”
