Casemiro has played last United game, says Carrick
Michael Carrick revealed Casemiro has already played his final game for Manchester United, as he will not feature against Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday (AEST).
Casemiro will leave United at the end of the season and returned from injury in its 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest last weekend at Old Trafford.
He was taken off to a standing ovation in the 81st minute of that match, with the Brazilian enjoying an emotional send-off in front of the home faithful on his 160th appearance for the Red Devils.
Carrick said it was decided before that match that Casemiro would not be stepping out in its final game of the season at American Express Stadium.
"First of all, on Casemiro, it was kind of decided that last week would be his last game," Carrick, who has been appointed as United's manager on a permanent basis, said.
"I think that went as well as we all could have hoped, to be honest.
"He's been fantastic, and I've said a lot of things about Case, how well he's done for me since I've been here and for the whole club. It was decided it would be a good time for him to finish, really.
"It just felt the right time, I think, for Case; it was decided, and he was part of that as well. It was the right time, there is an element of balance, like I've just said, the last game, we're not done, the season's not done for us. We're really conscious of that.
"There's a real balance between trying new things, moving forward, keep evolving. There are always games we'll try different things in that some might notice, some people might not notice others.
"So, I think the biggest thing is we're really conscious to respect this last game, what it stands for, and obviously try and make the best of it for us. We want to go down there and put in a good performance and try to win the game."
Casemiro has enjoyed a stellar season for United, helping it to a third-plae finish in the Premier League and a return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2023-2024 when it was knocked out in the group stage having finished bottom.
The 34-year-old has scored nine goals, his highest tally in a single season across his career. All of those have come in the top-flight, more than he managed in his first three campaigns combined (six).
