Casemiro shines, leads Man United to defeat Brighton 4-2
Casemiro scored 1 goal, assisted 1 in 70 minutes, made 7 interventions and won 4/7 challenges. When he left the field, Brighton scored 2 goals. Carlos Baleba, worth 100 million euros, was in the dark.
In Manchester United’s 4-2 win over Brighton, Casemiro was the difference. The Brazilian played 70 minutes, scored one goal, assisted one goal, made seven defensive actions and won four of his seven duels. United’s midfield control dropped off dramatically after he left the pitch, as Brighton rallied and scored twice.
Development: Man United exploded then slowed down after the 70th minute
In the first 70 minutes, Man United controlled the midfield tightly with Casemiro as the anchor. From that foundation, the home team scored four goals and put Brighton in a passive state. When Casemiro left the field in the 70th minute, the midfield structure loosened, Brighton took advantage of the space to score two goals in a row, creating great pressure in the final minutes.
Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte were not directly at fault, but the loss of support in midfield disrupted Man United's rhythm, their ability to change the direction of the ball and control transitions declined.
Tactical Analysis: Anchors, Rhythms, and System Glue
Casemiro not only covers the midfield but also initiates attacks. Acting as an anchor, he shields the defence, actively takes up positions to cut off passes into the half-space, and is ready to push the ball into the half-space for the forwards to exploit.
In the climax, Casemiro played the role of “glue”: winning the ball back, passing in one touch to overcome Brighton’s first pressing layer, then quickly opening up situations that led to goals and assists. His presence allowed Bruno Fernandes more freedom in creative areas, helping the vertical axis of Man United operate smoothly in transition.
Two key details showed his influence: 1 goal and 1 assist directly contributing to the score, plus 7 defensive actions that helped Man United maintain the initiative. After he left the field, the links were broken, Brighton exploited the space between midfielder and center back to score two goals.
Confrontation with Baleba: The 100 million euro “audition” was blurred
Carlos Baleba, the highly-rated 21-year-old midfielder, endured a difficult 90 minutes. Against the experienced Casemiro, Baleba only made two defensive actions and participated in two duels in the entire match, which is too few for a defensive midfielder. This match was a harsh test, showing that at the moment there is no clear transition in the anchor position.
Important statistics
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Result | Man United 4-2 Brighton |
| Casemiro – playing time | 70 minutes |
| Casemiro – goals/assists | 1 goal, 1 assist |
| Casemiro – defensive action | 7 times |
| Casemiro – one-on-one dispute | Win 4/7 |
| Carlos Baleba – defensive action | 2 times |
| Carlos Baleba – one-on-one dispute | 2 times participating |
Key moment: Minute 70 and the change of pace
The breaking point came shortly after Casemiro left the pitch in the 70th minute. Before that, Man United had controlled the space between the lines well; then Brighton quickly increased the tempo, found a goal and created psychological momentum. The match ended with a safe margin for the home team, but this development emphasized the role of Casemiro in balancing the match.
Impact and Context: The Spine under Ruben Amorim
This was Man United's third consecutive win, and Casemiro has emerged as a key cog in Ruben Amorim's approach. His current form is reminiscent of the most consistent periods of his previous experienced anchors, strengthening the midfield with Bruno Fernandes.
In terms of personnel planning, Casemiro's performance and Baleba's lack of clarity are clear references: Man United may need to add more depth in midfield, but finding an equivalent replacement right now is no simple task.
