His signing seemed like a coup at the time but things have gone according to plan at Man Utd.

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro says Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was reduced to tears when he learned he was moving to Old Trafford.

United signed Casemiro in a deal worth up to £70 million two years ago, just months after he had won a fifth Champions League title with the La Liga giants.

The Brazilian midfielder shone in his debut season at United and scored some memorable goals, including the opener against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final victory. However, his age quickly caught up with him and the 32-year-old has struggled to find form throughout his second season at the club.

United could even sell Casemiro this summer if an appropriate offer comes in and there won't be too many tears shed if indeed he departs the club after only two years.

“I had won everything,” Casemiro told El Chiringuito of his decision to leave Madrid. “It’s not that I wasn’t going to keep pushing, but I wanted new things. They didn’t let me leave so easily, but I wanted to learn a new language, play in another league. United behaved very well from day one. I decided to leave a little after winning the Champions League. I already saw that my time at Madrid was over. I was at a good age to leave, I wanted to continue growing. The decision was not easy at all, people loved me a lot.”

Casemiro then revealed that he only doubted the decision once, that was when he saw how manager Ancelotti reacted to the news of his imminent departure.

He added: “It was a Friday and everything was done. I had to train but I didn’t, the only thing missing was my signature. I went to talk to Ancelotti and he already knew I was leaving. I entered his office, he turned around and was crying. Carlo told me that he didn’t want me to leave, that he loved me a lot…”