Carrick Confirms Casemiro's United Exit as Red Devils Look Ahead to Brighton Finale

Michael Carrick has confirmed that supporters have already witnessed Casemiro's last outing in a Manchester United shirt, despite the Red Devils having one final Premier League fixture remaining against Brighton on Sunday.

The Brazilian midfielder signalled his intention to leave Old Trafford earlier in the campaign, seeking fresh horizons after his spell as a Real Madrid stalwart. With Casemiro's departure now sealed, United face a substantial midfield rebuild this summer, particularly given that Manuel Ugarte is also expected to exit the club.

Speaking at his pre-match briefing on Thursday, the interim head coach outlined the thinking behind Casemiro's withdrawal from the squad. "Case and I made that decision last week – that would be his final appearance," Carrick explained. "It's gone as well as we could have hoped. He's been absolutely brilliant for us. It felt like the right moment for him to call time on his United career."

The news means United will be hunting for at least two new midfielders when the transfer window opens, with the club preparing for significant changes in that department.

Carrick suggested the Brighton encounter could offer opportunities for some of the club's emerging talent to stake a claim for the future. "This institution thrives on developing young players," he said. "Getting the formula right in matches like this is about balancing what we're trying to achieve. We have some genuinely talented young players who are ready to step up."

Having already secured third place and guaranteed Champions League football for next season, United's mathematical fate is sealed – yet Carrick stressed the importance of treating the final day with appropriate weight. "We're not finished," he insisted. "The season isn't done. We're very aware of that. It's about striking the right balance between testing new approaches and maintaining our standards. Above all, we're determined to show proper respect to this final fixture and what it represents."

Brighton arrive at the Amex seeking a European qualification spot themselves, and Carrick acknowledged the competitive nature of the encounter. "We understand what's on the line for both teams," he noted. "We've put ourselves in a strong position and want to round things off properly. We'll treat it like any other match – there's everything to play for."

Regarding his own future, with widespread speculation linking him to the permanent manager's role following the team's impressive second-half resurgence, Carrick offered a measured response. "We're nearly at the end of the season, so answers won't be far away," he said. "I can't say much more at this stage, but clarity is coming."