100% aerial duels, 1 key pass, 1 goal: unstoppable United star once again proved the difference-maker at Old Trafford

Manchester United shrugged off Aston Villa to seize the initiative in the race to secure a top-four finish. Following a low-key start to the match Casemiro headed United ahead, but after taking their foot off the pedal they shipped an equaliser. Cool heads prevailed and the Red Devils ran out 3-1 winners, opening up a three-point gap ahead of fourth-placed Villa. Casemiro key once again Casemiro converted from a Bruno Fernandes corner to open the scoring in the second half, making it seven goals for the season. In addition to his goal, the Brazilian had one shot blocked this afternoon. The 34-year-old won all three of his contested aerial duels – the goal being the most significant – although fared less well on the ground. He contested the most ground duels of anyone on the pitch (nine), but only won two of them. Unsurprisingly, he made more fouls than anyone else on either side, illegally felling his man four times. Defensively solid Sitting in his familiar role in front of the back four, Casemiro was a significant figure in breaking up Villa’s attacks. The Brazilian made three clearances, blocked one shot, made one interception and won one tackle. Less helpfully, he was also dribbled past twice. He was typically hit-and-miss in possession, making one key pass and creating one big chance while also giving the ball away frequently. Creatively sound He recorded a 79% pass accuracy, with 31 of his 39 attempted passes reaching their intended target. When the recipient was further away things improved for Casemiro, who played seven long balls and found his man with four of them. Neither of the crosses he attempted was accurate, as United peppered a box which missed a focal point for 75 minutes. Casemiro vs. Aston Villa PlayerCasemiro Goals1 Expected goals (xG)0.11 Assists0 Expected assists (xA)0.28 Big chances created1 Key passes1 Crosses (accurate)2 (0) Accurate passes31/39 (79%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)16/23 (70%) Passes in own half (acc.)15/16 (94%) Long balls (accurate)4/7 (57%) Total shots2 Expected goals on target (xGOT)0.68 Shots on target1 Shots blocked1 Touches57 Unsuccessful touches1 Dribbles (successful)0 (0) Was fouled1 Possession lost12 Total carrying distance67.3 m Carries7 Progressive carries1 Total progression35.5 m Progressive carrying distance29.2 m Longest progressive carry27.8 m Def. contributions6 Tackles (won)1 (0) Interceptions1 Clearances3 Blocked shots1 Recoveries3 Ground duels (won)9 (2) Aerial duels (won)3 (3) Fouls4 Dribbled past2 It was a classic Casemiro performance, with the midfielder once again showing that he can be the difference-maker, but also that his legs are gone at the top level. Despite the crowd’s calls for “one more year” for the Brazilian, it’s right for everyone that he follows through with his plan to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season. Stats taken from sofascore. Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Joe Ponting Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried. He cut his teeth working in print media for local newspapers and entered football journalism covering the grassroots game for the Non-League Paper. Here he achieved a career high, interviewing United legend Sir Bobby Charlton to get his views on the lower echelons of the football pyramid. To kill time during international breaks Joe writes album reviews and has strong views on post punk for Plus One Magazine.