David Alaba opens up on Casemiro's Manchester United move after Toni Kroos criticism

Real Madrid defender David Alaba has backed Casemiro's decision to leave the LaLiga club in search of a new challenge after the Brazilian midfielder signed for Manchester United.

Casemiro, who won the Champions League on five occasions with Real Madrid, signed a four-year contract with the option of an additional year at Old Trafford after making the decision to leave Los Blancos in the transfer window.

The defensive midfielder - who signed for £60million rising to £70m - made 336 appearances for the Spanish giants, registering 31 goals and 29 assists.

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Following Casemiro's move to Old Trafford, his former teammate Toni Kroos aimed a subtle dig at the 30-year-old - criticising players for prioritising their salary over chances of competing for trophies.

"Television money has been significantly higher in England for years and yet it hasn't resulted in English teams winning everything. Thank God not all players look only at salary but also at winning," Kroos told the OMR podcast.

However, Madrid defender Alaba has insisted that he is fully supportive of Casemiro’s choice to leave the club to join United.

The Austria international, who spent one season with the defensive midfielder after joining Madrid from Bayern Munich last season, revealed that the pair spoke before the move and that he understood the Brazilian's decision to move on.

"I was in the same situation a year ago and we talked about it a lot," Alaba told GOAL.

"After nine years at Real Madrid he was looking for a new challenge. I wish him the best from the bottom of my heart."

Casemiro has made three substitute appearances since joining United, and is expected to make his first start