Manchester United

Image source, Reuters

Their worst Premier League season ever.

It's not an accolade any Manchester United fan wanted to win, especially after a promising third-place finish last season.

The result at Brighton will give the team a boost of confidence for next week's FA Cup final, but the performance showed why United find themselves in this difficult position.

Brighton were running rings around Erik ten Hag's side all afternoon, with intricate passing, impressive movement between the lines and plenty of chances.

If only the hosts had a clinical goalscorer.

Diogo Dalot was the man Brighton needed. The Portugal full-back was brilliant as he brought down Casemiro's ball over the top before calmly slotting home.

Rasmus Hojlund, meanwhile, showed how good he can be with a classy run through the Seagulls' defence before a thumping finish.

This season's success, and perhaps Ten Hag's future, now rests on the FA Cup final.

A season without silverware and missing out on European football is unthinkable for a club of United's stature, but it's a very big possibility given their opponents have just won their fourth Premier League title in a row.

Image source, Reuters

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-0 win at Brighton: "We changed something at half-time, and after that we had more control. In the end the win is OK.

"We swapped our sixes from the sides, left and right, that was important. We had a lot of problems defending Joao Pedro in the first half but then we had more control and we were better on the ball. You see the goal, it was a movement in behind. The first half was too static."

On United's lowest finish in the Premier League era: "It is not good enough by far. Although we had less than 60 points two years ago, 58 points, eighth is the worst performance. It is the truth but we should have done better. We know the reasons behind, everyone knows, but it is not the right moment to go into it. It's not good enough."

On Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City: "Talking about all the things we had to suffer this season, it was good to bring players back. They worked hard, they're desperate to play the final games of the season and especially the final next week. We get options and hopefully we will have a good week and everyone is on board. We will put a competitive team out and we will fight for the cup."

Here are the key facts and figures from Sunday's game between Brighton and Manchester United in the Premier League.

• Sunday's match was Roberto de Zerbi's 70th and final Premier League game in charge of Brighton. Despite defeat for his side, he leaves with the highest win percentage in the English top flight of any Seagulls manager (37% - 26/70).

• Manchester United won a Premier League away game without conceding for the first time since November 2023 against Everton (3-0), while this was their first league win away at Brighton since September 2020 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (3-2).

• Despite their 2-0 victory, Manchester United ended a league campaign with a negative goal difference (57 scored, 58 conceded) for the first time since 1989-90 (-1 in both cases).

• Rasmus Hojlund scored his 10th goal of the Premier League season for Manchester United, ending the campaign as the youngest player to reach double figures for goals (21y 105d).

• Brighton made 143 changes to their starting XI in the Premier League this season. Only Manchester United in 2013-14 (144) and Manchester City in 2019-20 (144) have ever made more in a single campaign in the competition.

Rasmus Hojlund and Diogo Dalot helped Manchester United to a victorious end to the Premier League season with a 2-0 success at Brighton.

Despite the win, Erik ten Hag's side end the season eighth - their lowest top-flight finish since 1989-90.

Brighton, meanwhile, failed to give departing boss Roberto de Zerbi the perfect send-off, despite having the better chances and dominating possession.

Adam Webster and Joao Pedro came closest to putting the Seagulls ahead in the first half, but they each lacked the clinical edge to beat Andre Onana.

Brighton were left regretting missed chances when Dalot slotted past Jason Steele in the 73rd minute, before substitute Hojlund sealed the three points two minutes before the end of normal time.

What did you make of the game?

Brighton fans - who should succeed De Zerbi?, external

United fans - are you confident heading into next week's FA Cup final?, external

Follow reaction and read the match report

The 2023-24 Premier League season might be drawing to a close, but BBC Sport's dedicated coverage of Manchester United will be sticking around for the summer.

From transfer gossip to club news to fan views - we have got you covered.

So make sure you don't miss anything by following your club and signing up to notifications straight to your devices.

After that, all you need to do is keep returning to your club's page throughout the summer - simple!

All 20 teams are in action on the final day of the 2023-24 Premier League season, with the title winners, European spots and one relegation place still to be confirmed.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

We asked how you are feeling going into the final game of the 2023-24 season, whether Erik ten Hag should be shown the door and what Manchester United's plans should be for this summer.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Moeed: This season has been more humbling than anything. Coming into it, we all thought we would perform better than last season, which was obviously not the case. Apart from the injuries, there should be no other excuses for the shambolic season we have had. I think we need a summer revamp of the squad.

James: Rubbish season, terrible management and coaching. Erik ten Hag shoud have been sacked after the Champions League fiasco. We need a total clearout of the players. I think the last nail in coffin will be if we lose the FA Cup final.

Edward: Ten Hag has brought trouble on himself by his strange team selections. The repeated picking of Antony when Diallo was there is mystifying. He has taken people off and replaced them with no-hopers. His record of buying dud players is further proof of his sad judgement. There are better managers out there and he should be sacked.

Jamie: I would be ashamed of the club if we sacked Ten Hag. We have been on the manager merry-go-round for too long now and we need some stability. Everyone is overlooking the awful injury list we have had this year. If we get the right players in this summer, we will see an improved side - if everyone can stay fit.

Dunk: We need to see what happens next season in order to fully understand what happened during this campaign. It seems likely that the summer transfer window will shed a bit of light on things too. The team was purring along quite nicely at one point, but a perfect storm of injuries and uncertainty really put a stop to our chances in the league.

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend’s final games of the season, he takes on Gladiators star Legend.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

I've been talking for a while now about how the season has fizzled out for Brighton and Roberto de Zerbi, and their poor form continued against Chelsea on Wednesday.

The Seagulls can still secure a top-10 finish with a win here though, and things cannot be too bad if that counts as a disappointing campaign for them.

Fair play to Manchester United for getting over the line against Newcastle United on Wednesday, but they are still only in eighth place. If they finish there, it will be a pretty accurate reflection of their season.

Legend's prediction: 1-2

It is between Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United for sixth and seventh place - and the final European slots.

I am so torn there because I actively dislike all three of those teams. With United that feeling is just inherent but, weirdly, out of those three teams I would rather they got into Europe.

They are going to concede goals but they do still look dangerous going forward, and Brighton are struggling.

Read all of Sutton’s predictions for the final day of the season here

Image source, Getty Images

If you haven't done so already, you have until 10:00 BST on Wednesday, 22 May to cast your vote for Manchester United's player of the season from our shortlist.

The candidates have been chosen by fan writer Dale O'Donnell from Stretty News, external.

Find out the reasons behind his selections and make your choice here

Manchester United may have to give midfielder Bruno Fernandes a pay rise from his current £230,000-a-week contract if they want to keep their captain. (Star), external

United will turn down any offers that arrive this summer for Fernandes as they see the 29-year-old as untouchable. (Caught Offside), external

The Old Trafford club are willing to pay £55m for 21-year-old English defender Jarrad Branthwaite, but Everton want £80m. (Givemesport), external

Meanwhile, United have been offered the opportunity to appoint long-term target Massimiliano Allegri as manager after the Italian was sacked by Juventus. (Express), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

Image source, PA Media

Manchester United have fielded interest from at home and abroad in striker Mason Greenwood, whose loan deal with Getafe expires in the summer.

Getafe stepped in to sign Greenwood on deadline day last summer.

It is not completely out of the question Greenwood returns to United next season. That is very much viewed as a third option though, with a sale to a European club thought most favourable. Serie A outfit Napoli are the latest club to be linked with Greenwood, while Getafe have said they would like him to return.

As a home-grown player, any sale would be beneficial for United in Profit and Sustainability terms, whilst a second successive loan has not been ruled out.

Greenwood's United contract is due to expire in 2025, although United have the option to extend that by a further season.

Image source, PA Media

Erik ten Hag says he is enjoying the "luxury problem" of having competition for places in his Manchester United squad, with the Premier League finale and an FA Cup final appearance looming.

United have endured an injury-hit season and go into Sunday's final game at Brighton knowing they could register their lowest finishing position in the Premier League era.

Captain Bruno Fernandes, centre-back Lisandro Martinez and striker Marcus Rashford all returned to action in Wednesday's home win over Newcastle, while midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and winger Amad Diallo have taken opportunities to impress when starting United's past two games.

"It's internal competition and I think they perform well," said the United boss of Amrabat and Diallo. "I think the way they're progressing across the season is very good for both and now they deserve the chance, they took the chance and that's a luxury problem.

"Which is good and that is actually what I need, what I was waiting for so long. Actually, I was waiting for a whole season, such a luxury problem and we need a squad to win both games."

Referring to the 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace earlier this month, Ten Hag added: "There was only one very poor performance (recently), so all the others, there was always very good spirit.

"I would almost say across the season, across all the problems we had - I don't think I have to sum them up again, but we have had them - but the spirit in the team, the fighting spirit, was always there. The dynamic was always there and I think we had also some good performances, even when the best players were not available.

"But you know when all the best players are not available, and you have to change so many things, the patterns are not there, the new routines are not there.

"Now, lately, the last two games, we are returning some players, players who progress very well came in the team and the performances, as you say, were good in the last two games."

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League season finishes on Sunday, with the league champions, qualifiers for European competitions and the third relegated club all yet to be confirmed.

The title

Manchester City start the day two points ahead of Arsenal but with a marginally worse goal difference.

City will be champions:

• If they beat West Ham

• If they draw or lose AND Arsenal fail to win

Arsenal will be champions:

• If they beat Everton AND City fail to win - an Arsenal win and a City draw would hand the title Arsenal on goal difference

The remaining European places

The fifth-place finisher qualifies for the Europa League. For sixth and seventh, it will depend on the outcome of the FA Cup final, the winners of which earn a Europa League place.

If Manchester City win the FA Cup, that Europa League place reverts to the league so the sixth-placed team will play in next season's Europa League, and the seventh-placed team will be in the Europa Conference League.

If Manchester United win the FA Cup, they get in the Europa League wherever they finish, and the highest-placed team not yet qualified for Europe gets the Europa Conference League place.

So let's take it team by team...

Tottenham:

• Will be fifth if they avoid defeat at Sheffield United, or if Chelsea fail to win

• Will be sixth if they lose AND Chelsea win

Chelsea:

• Will be fifth if they beat Bournemouth AND Tottenham lose

• Will be sixth if they win AND Tottenham avoid defeat

• Will be sixth if they draw, regardless of any other results

• Will be seventh if they lose AND Newcastle United win, or if Manchester United win while making up a 16-goal swing in goal difference over the Blues

• Will be eighth if they lose AND Newcastle win AND Manchester United win while making up the aforementioned 16-goal swing

Newcastle:

• Will be sixth if they win at Brentford AND Chelsea lose

• Will be seventh if they win AND Chelsea avoid defeat

• Will be seventh if they draw AND Manchester United fail to win

• Will be seventh if they lose AND Manchester United lose

• Will be eighth if they fail to win AND Manchester United win

Manchester United:

• Will be sixth if they win at Brighton AND Chelsea lose, with United making up an unfathomable 16-goal swing in goal difference on them, AND Newcastle fail to win

• Will be seventh if they better Newcastle's result, if they win and Newcastle fail to win, or if they draw and Newcastle lose

• Will be eighth if Newcastle match their result, if both teams win, draw or lose, or if Manchester United draw and Newcastle avoid defeat - or if Manchester United lose no matter what happens elsewhere

There is a highly unlikely scenario in which Manchester United could overtake Newcastle if both clubs win or both lose. However, it would require an improbable 25-goal swing in goal difference for this to occur. For example, if Newcastle win 1-0, Manchester United would need to win by a margin of 26 goals or more to move above them in the table.

The remaining relegation spot

Luton Town will be relegated unless they beat Fulham AND Nottingham Forest lose at Burnley, while the Hatters would also need to make up a 12-goal swing in goal difference across the two games, which would improbably relegate the Reds instead.

Napoli are interested in Manchester United's Mason Greenwood, who is on loan at Getafe, but they may face competition from Juventus if they want to sign the forward. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian), external

Atletico Madrid are also keen on signing Greenwood. (Star), external

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel wants the club to give assurances that they will bring in a defensive midfielder and a playmaker in the summer, before he commits to changing his mind and staying with the Bundesliga side beyond the end of the season, with Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes a target. (Independent), external

United are interested in signing 18-year-old French defender Leny Yoro from Lille. (Give Me Sport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag feels VAR is here to stay – but improvements have to be made.

Ten Hag has been critical of VAR at times this season, although it was United who benefited from the first bone of contention surrounding Wolves in 2023-24 when goalkeeper Andre Onana got away with punching Sasa Kalajdzic in the face inside his own penalty area.

On Thursday, Wolves submitted a resolution to scrap VAR that will be voted on at the Premier League annual meeting on 6 June.

However, Ten Hag does not believe that is the way forward.

"I don’t think there is a way back," he said. “In principle, it makes football more fair. But we have problems. We have to make improvements."

Meanwhile, Ten Hag cast doubt on Luke Shaw’s likelihood of being available for the FA Cup final against Manchester City on 25 May after confirming the full-back has had a setback in his recovery from a muscle injury he sustained against Luton Town in February.

That is not good news for England boss Gareth Southgate, who names his provisional Euro 2024 squad on Tuesday.

"There is a fair chance Harry Maguire will be available for the cup final. Luke is more complicated in this moment. He has a very small chance," added Ten Hag.

"He had a setback - now we have to find out how far it is."

Wolves are in the news this week for their pursuit of a vote on the scrapping of VAR.

Their wishes drew further scrutiny on Wednesday when Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon found himself in the middle of a contentious call before offering a strong view on the technology after his side went down at Manchester United.

"Modified" is the word when we are talking about VAR going to a vote.

We are still getting to grips with it, but we have seen some good come from it. There have been some instances of indifferent decisions because calls are getting too many looks at them from so many angles.

They still do not know what is a good tackle and what is not. I think they need help from some former players, who have been in that situation and understand what the differences are in those challenges.

We keep talking about different angles and that is not going to go away because with VAR or without it, on certain challenges we would still disagree. You could have two current players in a room and they still would not agree.

It is Wolves' opinion on VAR and if they feel it is not working for them, then you can understand why they are saying to have a go without it again.

Molineux boss Gary O'Neil has been very frustrated, but he has also been balanced and tried to stay quiet. Now he does not want to stay quiet because he feels it does not benefit them and decisions are not going their way.

Overall, we have seen good things from VAR, even if it does bring with it a delay and a wait.

It would be a shame now for it to all go away when we have all the technology in place.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has spoken to the media before his side's final Premier League game of the season at Brighton on Sunday (16:00 BST kick-off).

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• On the potential for Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw to play in the FA Cup final against Manchester City next weekend: "There is a fair chance Harry Maguire will be available. Luke is more complicated. He has less of a chance but has a very small one. He had a setback, now we have to find out how bad it is."

• On whether he knows why his side have had so many injuries this season: "I know but I don’t share. It’s not important. We can’t change things. That is the future and across the summer, not for now."

• On the competition for places created by the form of Amad Diallo and Sofyan Amrabat: "They have progressed across the season. They deserved their chance and took it. That’s a problem which is good. It is what I need and was waiting for all season. It’s a luxury problem. You need competition to win games."

• On facing Brighton: "It’s a difficult style of play. I admire it. It’s a real challenge so it's up to us to get the right plan and the right execution."

• On the prospect of ditching VAR: "I don’t think there is a way back. In principle, it makes football more fair, but there are some problems. We have to find the solutions to these problems and make improvements."

Here are the key facts and figures before Brighton host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

• Brighton have won their past four Premier League games against Manchester United. The last side to beat the Red Devils in five consecutive league games was Norwich City between 1988 and 1990.

• United have lost four of their six Premier League away games against Brighton (67%) - their highest loss rate away against any side in the competition.

• Brighton have lost their final game in four of their six Premier League campaigns - the exceptions being a 2-1 win at Burnley (2019-20) and a 3-1 home win over West Ham (2021-22).

• Manchester United have lost their final league game in two of the past five seasons, as many times as they had in the previous 33 campaigns (W23 D8).

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio and Fulham captain Tom Cairney have both chosen Alejandro Garnacho's stunning acrobatic strike against Everton as their goal of the season and agree it surpasses Wayne Rooney's iconic Manchester derby bicycle-kick.

During the 3-0 win at Goodison Park in November, Garnacho spectacularly adjusted to Diogo Dalot's deep cross to throw himself into the air and make perfect contact to send the ball past Jordan Pickford.

It drew immediate comparison with Rooney's goal in 2011 which has gone down as one of the best in Premier League history.

"There's only one answer - Garnacho," Antonio told the Footballer's Football podcast. "Nobody else can talk to him.

"The craziest thing is that three weeks later I had the opportunity against Spurs to overhead kick - I tried to take it down! There's no way I can get my leg up that high - I'm tearing my hamstrings and everything.

"I think Garnacho's is better because Rooney's is slightly closer, middle of the goal, while Garnachos' is further out. It's ridiculous."

Cairney added: "It's not even close. He's facing the dugout and he's jumped higher than I've ever jumped easy. Half-scissor - bang [and] Pickford nowhere.

"Garnacho's is outrageous. He's jumping backwards. He jumps away from it and he's higher as well [than Rooney's goal].

"I think because it's Manchester United v Manchester City as well Rooney's is so special."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds