Fred has detailed the short conversation he had with Casemiro urging the midfielder to join Manchester United over the summer.
United brought Casemiro across from Real Madrid in a deal worth up to £70million last August, the 30-year-old signing a four-year contract and making an instant impact at Old Trafford, bringing an elite mentality across from Spain that has spread through the squad.
The midfield general joined up with international teammate Fred in Manchester, the pair dovetailing brilliantly for Brazil throughout the past seven years and showing signs of a similar relationship in red. Free of some defensive pressures taken on by Casemiro, the 29-year-old is enjoying more attacking influence during his fifth season in M16.
ALSO READ: Erik ten Hag addresses Mason Greenwood situation
“Casemiro sent me a message last summer saying: ‘Maybe I will come to United,’ ” Fred told The Times. “I know his quality so I messaged him back, saying: ‘You need to come here today, right now!’ I admire him a lot. He’s a world-class player. It’s so important for him to be in our team.”
The arrival of Casemiro was proof of Erik ten Hag prioritising a mental fortitude that has been missing at Old Trafford in recent seasons. The player-manager pair are serial winners, and Fred has praised the Dutchman for instilling that level of confidence and discipline in a squad that had previously lost its way.
“He is a good coach and has helped us a lot," the midfielder added. "Now we have an identity to show to other teams. He has put rules [up] inside the dressing room — don’t be late, don’t do wrong things, always do what you can to help your partner — and that’s important. We are growing every day.”
READ NEXT
