MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Casemiro of Manchester United pats his badge after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford on April 27, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Visionhaus/Getty Images

Not for the first time this season, Casemiro came up with a big goal in a big game for Manchester United. With the Old Trafford side targeting a victory over Brentford to edge closer to Champions League qualification, the Brazilian midfielder scored the opener in a 2-1 win that made a top-five finish all but certain.

Four games from the end of the 2025/26 season, United is now 11 points ahead of sixth place Brighton. The turnaround in form under interim manager Michael Carrick has been remarkable and Casemiro has been central to the resurgence, scoring his ninth league goal of the campaign against Brentford.

Casemiro has already confirmed his decision to leave Manchester United at the end of the season. After four years at Old Trafford, the Brazilian is moving on at a time when he has never been more impactful in the Premier League. United will miss the 34-year-old in the centre of the pitch.

“He’s got huge experience. He’s a big player who has achieved an awful lot in the game. I have to say since I’ve arrived, he’s given everything he could possibly give,” said Carrick when asked about the influence of Casemiro and his role in Manchester United salvaging something from a challenging season.

“The situation has probably helped that. Knowing exactly where he’s at. He’s got nothing to hide. He’s thrown himself right into it. It’s football, players come and go. Players have come and left this football club over the years. You’ve got to evolve and move on and adapt. That’s the world that we’re in. It’s nice that he’s got that connection with the supporters and it comes from both ways because I know he’s an emotional guy and it means a lot to him.”

United already needed at least one new central midfielder this summer. The club has been linked with the likes of Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Aurelien Tchouameni and Adam Wharton who are all expected to be on the move. With Casemiro leaving, United needs more than one new midfield addition.

For a long time, Casemiro struggled with the speed of the Premier League. At a veteran age, he was unable to cover the amount of ground Ruben Amorim’s system demanded from him. With Carrick at the helm, though, Casemiro’s role in the team has been simplified and he is performing at something close to his peak again.

Manchester United is a work-in-progress. Last summer, the signings of Matheus Cunha, Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko significantly strengthened the team and another big transfer window is required this summer. Replacing Casemiro could be the biggest task of all.