Who got the assist for Casemiro's eventual winner?

Saturday 20 September 2025 21:58

Manchester United's second goal against Chelsea, nodded in by Casemiro, proved to be the winner in the 2-1 victory.

With 37 minutes on the clock, United continued to pin the 10 men back following the early sending off of Robert Sanchez and Bruno Fernandes's opener, awarded after a lengthy VAR review.

The excellent Noussair Mazraoui crossed from the right and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu's header appeared a little misdirected. However, Reece James hoisted his attempted clearance high into the air and the danger remained for the visitors.

Video
See how Casemiro found the net against Chelsea.

Luke Shaw sensed an opportunity and charged towards the loose ball, displaying the sort of aggression head coach Ruben Amorim has been calling for.

He won the aerial battle and it broke to Casemiro, who headed past replacement keeper Filip Jorgensen to double the lead.

It had looked like Shaw was rewarded with his efforts with the assist but closer inspection noted a touch off fellow defender Harry Maguire before it ran on to the Brazilian.

Opta clarified their decision to award Maguire the assist by stating: "It bounced on the head of Maguire before reaching Casemiro. So Maguire was the last player of United to touch the ball before reaching Casemiro and that is why we credit the assist to him."

Meanwhile, the Premier League confirmed why the Brazilian's dismissal could not be checked by VAR, as yellow cards are not part of their jurisdiction.

"The referee issued a second yellow card to Casemiro for a holding offence that stopped a promising attack," they stated.

"There was no VAR involvement in the second yellow card as per VAR protocol."

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