Man Utd 3-2 Nottingham Forest: Five Things Learned As Casemiro Departs Old Trafford

Manchester United impressed with a 3-2 win in their final home game of the season, despite the match turning into a basketball game in the final minutes, as both sides attempted to add another. 

The game also marked Casemiro's farewell from Old Trafford, and a banner was raised in the Stretford End, not to mention several songs throughout the 90 minutes. 

Shaw's goal in the seventh minute handed United an early lead, but it was not added to until after half-time, despite several good chances for Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes. 

A moment of magic from Elliot Anderson levelled the scoring after the break. The Englishman beat Amad with ease after a short corner, before delivering a brilliant ball into the box for Morato to head home for his first goal for Nottingham Forest. 

It didn't take long for Matheus Cunha to restore United's lead, though. A cross came into the box and Mbeumo controlled it, although he used the underside of his arm to bring it down to his feet. His shot deflected to Cunha and the Brazilian fired home. 

After a lengthy VAR check - in which the officials recommended no goal - the on-field referee stuck with his decision of a goal, as the handball was "accidental". Gary Neville was not best pleased. 

“Honestly, that is ridiculous," said Neville on commentary. "The VAR has been clear: the player has handballed it. He looked it for three minutes and the referee has looked at it for another minute.

"I can't believe what I have just seen. That was handball. I don't know what to say."

Mbeumo finally netted his goal to make it 3-1, before Morgan Gibbs-White reduced the advantage to just one. 

Luke Shaw broke the deadlock with a volleyed effort perfectly placed into the bottom right corner inside the opening 10 minutes. It was his first goal for United since January 2023. 

The England international has been very impressive this season, and is currently on track to start every Premier League match of the campaign - something that would have been thought unimaginable just over eight months ago. 

Michael Carrick played with Luke Shaw for several years, and now looks set to coach him as the club returns to the Champions League once again. 

United have been linked to several left-backs for this summer, but have yet to make a final decision on one.

Shaw may believe he is good enough to keep the starting spot, and if he can continue his current form into next season, perhaps he is. 

Senne Lammens has been one of, if not, the best United player since he made his debut against Sunderland before the first international break of the campaign. Still, though, he has made mistakes. 

Against Liverpool, Lammens was playing out from the back and handed the ball away. While this was cancelled out by Kobbie Mainoo's winner, it would not be something he would have wanted to repeat. Unfortunately, he has. 

In the first half, Lammens received the ball and opened his body to play forward. Earlier in the season, the Belgian shotstopper would have played it long into the channels, but, seemingly due to new instructions, he now looks to play short. 

Lammens aimed his pass at Kobbie Mainoo, not noticing Elliot Anderson, who was baring down on Mainoo. The 21-year-old managed to escape pressure and win a free-kick on the edge of his own box, but Lammens must improve in this area. 

At just 23, the goalkeeper has plenty of time to improve his game. And it is important to remember, he has not really experienced playing out from the back before. So, he will need some time. 

Overall, though, it was another impressive performance from the Belgian. United would be lost without him. 

"Du Du Du Du, Casemiro," sung the Stretford End before, during, and after the game. They will miss the Brazilian, as will Michael Carrick, who looks set to take charge permanently next season. 

Casemiro anchored the midfield alongside Kobbie Mainoo to great effect against Nottingham Forest, as he has done so well since Carrick took over from Darren Fletcher and Rúben Amorim. 

There are areas of Casemiro's game which could be improved upon - as hard as that is to believe - but United will struggle to find a better partner for Mainoo. 

Roundtable understands that Carrick will have a bigger say in transfers than Rúben Amorim, which will be key in understanding which defensive midfielder the club should be targeting.

It is clear that Mainoo's partner cannot just be a runner, as when Mason Mount replaced Casemiro, he failed to anchor the midfield, and it turned into something of a basketball match. Not good game management at all. 

Perhaps the best replacement is the Forest player wearing the number eight shirt. 

Bryan Mbuemo has netted 10 goals and three assists in the Premier League this season - a respectable return given everything that has happened at Manchester United this season.

However, his last goal, before today, was against Tottenham Hotspur at the start of February. That is 10 games without a goal, and nine without an assist. 

Many fans have called for Amad to be dropped since Carrick took charge, in favour of Mbeumo, but neither have lived up to their standards from the start of the campaign. 

Both players have suffered since the change of system, which allowed them to combine on the same side. They will get back up to form again, as both are natural right-wingers, but it may take them until next season. 

Shea Lacey could start against Brighton on the final day of the season, to allow one of the duo a break, but with Benjamin Šeško still out of the matchday squad, Mbeumo could be forced through the middle once again. 

Mbeumo's goal to make it 3-1 - which also handed Fernandes his record-equalling 20th assist of the season - may give him confidence heading into the final game of the season, but a rest still would not be the worst idea. 

Bruno Fernandes will go down in history as not just the best United signing after Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, but also a Premier League record holder. 

He joins Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry on 20 assists in a single campaign, with one game left to play against Brighton.

The record may just be his after all.