'Thank God!' - Casemiro makes Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United and Real Madrid admission

Casemiro is grateful he never had to come up against former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as an opponent.

The Brazilian spent many successful years alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid, winning four Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles together. The pair were reunited when Casemiro moved to United last summer.

Ronaldo was already at Old Trafford, having returned for a second spell at United the previous summer from Juventus. However, his second time at United did not match his maiden spell in terms of success.

Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app packed with premium features? Click here

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag's dream new-look Manchester United squad if transfer window goes perfectly

Ronaldo departed United suddenly last November when his deal at Old Trafford was cancelled. It followed an explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised many aspects of the club.

It meant that Casemiro played only a handful of games with Ronaldo at United before the latter's departure, compared to the time they spent together at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite their short time at Old Trafford, Casemiro holds Ronaldo in high regard.

In fact, he believes Ronaldo, countryman Neymar and Lionel Messi are the best three players of his generation. He is grateful in particular with Ronaldo that he never had to come up against the Portuguese on an opposing team and only played on the same side as him.

Speaking to Brazilian publication Placar, the holding midfielder said: "I had the pleasure of seeing Messi, Cristiano and Neymar, who are the three greatest of my generation.

"I saw [the Brazilian] Ronaldo, I saw Zinedine Zidane but, without a doubt,