In a narrow 1-0 Premier League victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, Casemiro’s stunning overhead kick propelled Manchester United closer to a top-four finish.
The Red Devils needed two wins from their final three games to ensure Champions League football at Old Trafford next season.
Despite a game lacking in clear-cut opportunities at both ends, Casemiro’s moment of brilliance, receiving a beautifully weighted pass from Christian Eriksen and acrobatically hammering home after turning away from Marcos Senesi, proved to be the difference.
Erik Ten Hag’s men now need a point from their final two games of the season to seal Qualification to next season’s champions league.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s faint hopes of a top-four Premier League finish were kept alive as Roberto Firmino scored a last-minute equalizer to salvage a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.
Jacob Ramsey gave Villa an unlikely lead with a goal in the first half, and although Cody Gakpo thought he had equalized for the home team in the second half, his goal was ruled out for offside.
Roberto Firmino then scored on his final home game for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Liverpool now need Manchester United to lose their final two games of the season to stand any chance of Leapfrogging the Red Devils into the top Four.
Other than that, Qualification for next season’s champions league is all but over with this result.
Elsewhere, Everton scored a late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw at Wolves while Fulham and Crystal Palace played out a 2-2 draw.