Casemiro’s acrobatic volley secured Manchester United a scrappy 1-0 win at Bournemouth and left them needing just one point from their final two fixtures to confirm Champions League qualification.
Liverpool’s 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa – which took place at the same time as United’s game at the Vitality Stadium – saw Jurgen Klopp’s side drop valuable points in their pursuit of the top four.
Liverpool have just one game remaining – away to Southampton next Sunday – and are three points behind their rivals, meaning Erik ten Hag’s side will finish in the Champions League places if they take points off Chelsea on Thursday, live on Sky Sports, or against Fulham next weekend.
United were far from convincing at Bournemouth but claimed the three points thanks to Casemiro’s early volley, with the midfielder adjusting impressively to slam the ball into the top corner and leave United on the brink of returning to Europe’s elite.
Ten Hag hailed the impact of Casemiro during his first season at Old Trafford, saying: “He keeps surprising us. He’s such a brilliant football player.
“We know him as very good (at) organisation, positioning, anticipating, intercepting a lot of balls, winning duels, a fighter. Also in possession, his passing and distribution, but also finishing. Just a great football player.”
Asked whether Casemiro has exceeded expectations since his arrival from Real Madrid last summer, Ten Hag said: “Absolutely, by far.
“We missed a player in the midfield. We searched and it was not easy because there are not many in the profile whose standard fits the standard of Manchester United. We’re happy we found him and his contribution is massive.”
