Manchester United's Casemiro (centre) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match at Old Trafford against Fulham. (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Manchester United’s Casemiro (centre) celebrates with his teammates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match at Old Trafford against Fulham. (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

The Stretford End songbook was focused on two defensive midfielders. The song celebrating Michael Carrick was, like the man himself, brought back from the past. Yet after the final whistle, after an injury-time winner, the name sung longest and loudest was that of Casemiro.

He has started his long goodbye at Old Trafford. He has been a talisman and transformative presence, laughing stock and fading force. Now it seems the Brazilian will go as a cult hero, and a man who will leave a sizeable gap in the midfield.