Casemiro has said his goodbyes to Old Trafford as he departs Manchester United ahead of the upcoming World Cup. The Brazilian midfielder played his final match for the club last week, receiving an emotional standing ovation from the home fans. It was mutually agreed that he would finish his United career on a high in front of the Old Trafford crowd.
Managerial Confirmation
Michael Carrick, the newly-appointed permanent manager, confirmed that the decision was made for the veteran to skip the fixture against Brighton to focus on the next chapter of his career. Carrick noted that it felt like the right time for the player to conclude his journey with the club after a season where he recorded nine goals.
Carrick's Words
Carrick said: "It just felt the right time, I think, for Cassie, and it was decided, he's part of that as well, so it was the right time. We always kind of decided that last week would be his last game, so I think that went well, as well as we all could have hoped to be honest, and he's been fantastic. I've said a lot of things about Cassie and how well he's done for me since I've been here and for the whole club, but yeah, it was decided that it was a good time for him to finish, really."
Transfer Speculation
Rumours are intensifying that Casemiro looks set to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in the MLS this summer. As he is expected to become a free agent, avoiding the final game reduces the risk of injury before both a potential move to the United States and the World Cup.
Match Details
United's clash with Brighton is scheduled to kick off at 4pm on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Both teams will meet at the American Express Stadium for this final-day encounter. Fans in the UK can watch the match live on the Sky Sports Tennis channel, part of a historic broadcast featuring all 10 final-day games. Coverage will also be available to subscribers via the Sky Go and NOW platforms for streaming.
Team News
Apart from Casemiro, Manchester United will be missing Mathijs de Ligt and potentially Benjamin Sesko. While specific defensive rotations are expected, the squad is otherwise largely healthy. Brighton could be boosted by the return of Mats Wieffer, who has recovered from an ankle injury and is hoping to start. However, the hosts have definitely ruled out Adam Webster, Kaoru Mitoma and Stefanos Tzimas.
