Casemiro’s Last Home Game Made This Feel Bigger Than The Result
This was our second last game of the season, and on paper, the result did not really matter that much because Champions League football was already secured. But it still felt important. It was the last home game of the season, we had a chance to properly cement third place, and most importantly, it was most likely Casemiro’s last game at Old Trafford in a Manchester United shirt.
That part genuinely made me sad. Casemiro is one of the most successful defensive midfielders in football history, and I have always admired him, even when he was at Real Madrid. When he came to United, I was so excited, and even if some people say he has not been that successful here, which I do understand, I still think he has always given everything. That is the thing I really like about him. He came here after winning five Champions Leagues, after achieving almost everything, and he still accepted the challenge.
Seeing him come out of the tunnel with his kids was honestly quite sweet. Everyone was coming out with their kids because it was the last home game, and it just gave the day a softer feeling before the chaos started. Casemiro is quite an emotional person, so I genuinely thought he might cry. And honestly, I would not blame him. This has probably been his best season at United, and even if his time here has not been perfect, he has had some real moments in this shirt.
There was also the Elliot Anderson angle, because some people might call this an audition. But I do think he is more likely to end up at Manchester City, so I was trying not to get too attached to that idea before the game. Still, by the end, it became very hard not to notice him.
Shaw Started It Beautifully, But United Never Fully Controlled It
United started the game perfectly. In the 5th minute, Bruno crossed the ball into the box, Forest headed it away, and it dropped to Luke Shaw, who hit a lovely half-volley into the bottom corner. It was such a clean finish, and honestly, exactly the kind of early goal you want in the last home game of the season. Old Trafford gets lifted, the team settles, and you start thinking maybe this will be a calm, enjoyable day.
But after that, the game did not really explode straight away. The next ten or fifteen minutes were quite dull. United had just over half the ball, but we were not doing loads with it, and I did not really see much of Anderson in the first 20 minutes either. Then suddenly, in the 20th minute, he played a really good through ball to Morgan Gibbs-White, and Lammens made a beautiful save. Straight after that, United went on the counter, Cunha passed it to Mbeumo, and Mbeumo found himself in a tough position before taking a shot that hit the post.
That little spell summed up the whole game. United had quality, Forest had danger, and the midfield was far too open at times. Bruno was getting a few chances to shoot, but you could tell he was looking for assists. I completely understood it. He was sitting on 19, with two games left to equal or break the Henry and De Bruyne record, and honestly, I wanted him to get it. He deserves it. He probably deserves Player of the Year as well.
The first half stayed pretty dull after that, and it was 1-0 at the break. We were winning, but it did not feel like a game that was finished. It felt like one of those United matches where the scoreline is fine, but the performance is still asking for trouble.
The Second Half Suddenly Became Chaotic
The second half started slowly too, and then Forest got their moment. From a corner, the ball went to Anderson, who put in a beautiful cross, and Morato headed it in to make it 1-1. It was a really good delivery, and to be fair, Anderson had properly grown into the game by then. Annoying, but impressive.
Then within two minutes, United responded. Dalot put in an early cross as we broke, Mbeumo held it well, even with a slight touch on the arm, and then passed it to Cunha, who scored instantly. The goal was checked by VAR because there was clearly some contact with the arm, but because he controlled it first with his lap and the arm touch was soft, the goal was given. 2-1 United. A slightly messy goal, but honestly, in a game like this, you take it.
Then Bruno should have had the record moment even earlier. Around ten minutes after Cunha’s goal, he played a beautiful through ball on a plate for Mbeumo, and Mbeumo missed what felt like a really big chance. You could see Bruno’s frustration, and I completely understood it. That should have been the 20th assist. That should have been the moment he joined Henry and De Bruyne. Instead, he had to wait.
But eventually, it came. In the 76th minute, Cunha carried the ball well and played a fast low pass towards Mbeumo, who this time finished a much tougher chance. That made it 3-1, and Bruno got his assist. Twenty Premier League assists. Level with Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry. What a feat. I keep repeating it, but it deserves repeating. Bruno Fernandes has done this in a United team that has not always made life easy for him. That is what makes it even more impressive.
Forest Made It Nervy, And Anderson Passed The Audition
Of course, because this is United, the comfort lasted about two minutes. Anderson played another good pass to Morgan Gibbs-White, who finished really well to make it 3-2. It was similar in shape to Mbeumo’s goal, but maybe even tougher. Suddenly, what looked like a controlled win became a proper game again.
At 80 minutes, Casemiro, Cunha and Mbeumo were subbed off, and the Casemiro moment was really touching. Players were hugging him and showing love, and you could feel that it was his Old Trafford goodbye. Whatever anyone thinks about his United spell overall, he deserved that respect. He has given everything, and he has carried himself like a proper professional.
Then in the 83rd minute, Bruno played another ridiculous pass from the right flank to the left, cutting through four or five players and finding Dorgu. If Dorgu had scored, that would have been one of the assists of the season and Bruno would have broken the record right there. Instead, he shot straight at Sels, and I was genuinely speechless at how many chances Bruno created in the last 10 minutes. It is such a shame he could not break the record at Old Trafford, but now it goes to the final game against Brighton.
And honestly, Brighton should be open enough for him to get chances. Hopefully Sesko is back, because if Bruno can feed balls into him, there is definitely a chance to break it. Whether we win, lose or draw, we stay third, so at least that position is cemented. That is a good feeling going into the final day.
As for Anderson, I have to be honest, he passed the midfield audition with flying colours. We were too open in midfield, yes, but he showed exactly why people rate him. I would love United to get someone like him or Tchouameni. Both would be a dream, but if Anderson is a £100 million player, I doubt we go there. Still, imagine him alongside Bruno and Kobbie. That would be serious.
Final Thoughts
This was a very entertaining game, and honestly, it was fun. It was not clean, it was not controlled, and United were far too open in midfield, but as a last home game of the season, it had everything. A Shaw goal, a Cunha goal, Mbeumo scoring, Bruno equalling the assist record, Casemiro’s Old Trafford farewell, Anderson showing his quality, and just enough late chaos to make it feel like a proper United match.
Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford, with Shaw, Cunha and Mbeumo scoring for United, while Morato and Morgan Gibbs-White scored for Forest. Bruno assisted Mbeumo’s goal in the 76th minute, while Anderson assisted both Forest goals. The result kept United third going into the final day.
UNITED SCRIPTED. 
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