- Casemiro says goodbye to Man United
- The Brazilians’ five greatest moments in a United shirt
- League Cup final winner
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has played his last game for the Red Devils, closing his chapter at Old Trafford for good.
Across a four-year spell, the Brazilian has been on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and performances, undoubtedly finishing his career in Manchester on a high, as he helped Michael Carrick’s side qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2023.
The Brazilian seems certain to depart for the United States of America side Inter Miami, where he will link up with former rival Lionel Messi. The trophies, the big-game performances, the towering headers, the snarling midfield displays—supporters will remember all of it.
And whilst his time in Manchester was turbulent, history will likely remember him fondly. These are his five best moments in a United shirt.
5. Breaking his duck
After signing from Real Madrid for a gargantuan £70 million, big things were expected from the five-time Champions League winner.
Whilst it took him a while to get going—playing just 82 minutes across four matches—in his eighth Premier League appearance for United, Casemiro finally produced the type of header he would become so renowned for.
In a crunch fixture against Chelsea, United trailed 1-0 in the 93rd minute as it looked like Erik ten Hag’s side were about to suffer their fourth defeat of the season.
As the points looked destined to remain at Stamford Bridge, Luke Shaw whipped a tantalising cross into the Chelsea box, where Casemiro rose higher than anyone else, directing a header from 10 yards out onto the post before the ball trickled over the line to secure not just his first United goal, but also a vital point.
The context surrounding the match only heightened the importance of the moment. Had United lost, they would have dropped to eighth in the table, with Ten Hag only months into his reign and already facing pressure.
4. Midfield masterclass against Brentford
Casemiro’s resurgence during the 2025/26 season was perhaps shown no more clearly than in the 2-1 win against Brentford on 27 April.
After losing 2-1 to Leeds United, a response was needed to keep United’s Champions League hopes alive against a Brentford side pushing for Europe themselves.
Casemiro opened the scoring—shortly becoming United’s top Premier League scorer for the season with nine—before Benjamin Sesko doubled the lead in the 42nd minute.
With Brentford pulling one back in the 86th minute, the closing stages became nervy as United desperately tried to avoid surrendering another lead.
There was one moment, however, in the 93rd minute that encapsulated Casemiro perfectly.
The Brazilian burst forward to close down Reiss Nelson just as he shaped to cross, applying suffocating pressure that forced the winger into slicing his effort harmlessly out for a goal kick.
Casemiro then rose to his feet and emphatically high-fived a young supporter leaning over the barrier, sending the Stretford End into a roaring frenzy as United narrowly dragged themselves over the line.
3. This season’s resurrection
Football changes quickly. Back in May 2024, Jamie Carragher claimed that “the football has left” Casemiro.
“I always remember the saying, Leave the football before the football leaves you. The football has left him at this top level. He needs to call it a day at this level of football and move. A man of that level should not be going through what he’s going through now; he needs to call it a day.”
Carragher’s comments came after a particularly gruelling 90-minute display against Crystal Palace, where United were dismantled 4-0, with Casemiro captaining the side.
The Brazilian endured a nightmare evening, making a series of mistakes, with the referee-cam angle of Michael Olise’s goal quickly going viral after the match.
Two years on, however, and Casemiro looked reborn. Whilst still seemingly destined for a less demanding league, the midfielder re-established his value this season, with Carragher even admitting: “I admit my verdict on Casemiro being finished was harsh.”
The Brazilian became one of United’s standout performers throughout the campaign, contributing nine goals—his highest return in a single season—and adding two assists along the way.
2. Maestro performance against Lyon
In a topsy-turvy season for both Casemiro and Manchester United, the Brazilian arguably delivered his finest individual display in one of the most chaotic matches Old Trafford has witnessed this century.
After a 2-2 draw at Groupama Stadium, tensions were sky high heading into the second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Olympique Lyonnais.
Viewed as the lifeline of United’s season, victory was essential.
Goals from unlikely scorers Diogo Dalot and Manuel Ugarte appeared to have United cruising at 2-0, but strikes from Corentin Tolisso—who would later be sent off—and Nicolas Tagliafico dragged Lyon back into the tie.
What had once been a glorious European night suddenly turned poisonous as Rayan Cherki fired Lyon ahead, before Alexandre Lacazette converted from the penalty spot in the 110th minute to make it 4-2 on the night and 6-4 on aggregate.
Old Trafford looked stunned, and then Casemiro seized control. The Brazilian won a penalty in the 113th minute, which Bruno Fernandes calmly converted.
Six minutes later, Casemiro clipped a delicate pass into Kobbie Mainoo, who twisted brilliantly before guiding home to level the tie. Then came the defining moment.
In the 120th minute, Casemiro delivered a perfect deep cross towards the back post, where Harry Maguire powered home the winner, sending Old Trafford into complete pandemonium.
1. League Cup final winner
Truly, there is no other option for Casemiro’s greatest moment in a United shirt. In his debut season at the club—arguably his finest—Casemiro spearheaded United’s push towards their first trophy in six years, helping ten Hag secure the first of his two trophies in Manchester.
The 2023 EFL Cup Final itself was not his best overall performance in red, far from it. In truth, for a game carrying so much narrative around it—it would have been Newcastle United’s first domestic trophy in 59 years—it was a fairly controlled afternoon from United.
After a slightly nervy opening 10 minutes in which Newcastle saw plenty of the ball, United slowly settled into the match. Then came the breakthrough.
Luke Shaw curled in a dangerous free-kick—fittingly similar to the delivery for Casemiro’s first goal for the club—with the Brazilian once again rising highest to thunder a header beyond the goalkeeper and put United on their way to victory.
Marcus Rashford would later double the lead, leaving no route back for the Toon Army, as Casemiro lifted his first piece of silverware in English football.
