Raphinha wants Man Utd star to make controversial Barcelona transfer

Suraj Radia

• 16 Feb 2023 16:37 GMT
• 2 min read

Raphinha has admitted he would love for one Manchester United star in particular to be playing with him at Barcelona ahead of the Europa League clash between the two sides.

Barca host United in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round with the home side unbeaten since October and on a run of 15 wins in their last 16 games across all competitions.

United, meanwhile, are also in good form, having lost just two of their last 27 games, with both sides competing at the top of their respective leagues this season.

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Raphinha described the tie as a ‘Champions League game’ but the winger revealed he would much prefer to be playing with Brazilian teammate Casemiro instead of coming up against the ex-Real Madrid star for United.

"I always say, I would love to have Casemiro on my team,” Raphinha said. “In addition to his experience and what he has achieved in football, he is a great leader, a great person.

“He manages to complete a team with football, with the quality he has, with the defensive part he has, he is one of the best midfielders in the world.”

Business as usual for Raphinha against Brazil teammate

Casemiro spent nine years with Barca’s bitter rivals in Madrid, winning 18 trophies including five Champions League titles, before joining United last summer for £70 million.

The 30-year-old featured alongside Raphinha at the 2022 World Cup for Brazil and was part of the country’s successful Copa America win in 2019.

INTEGRAL: Man Utd's record with and without Casemiro

Raphinha only made his debut for Brazil in 2021 but he appears to have drawn a close connection to Casemiro in that time, however the 26-year-old insisted any friendly chats would be saved until after the game against United.

"I prefer to avoid messages, pinpricks and such,” Raphinha said. “Sometimes we talk, but nothing about football, we leave it to talk later.

“Before the game, let them concentrate there on their side, and I on mine, and tomorrow we'll talk meet and catch up, but after the game."