MAN UNITED SUFFER LOWEST-EVER PREMIER LEAGUE FINISH

Manchester United failed to secure European football for next season despite a 2-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion at The Amex on the final day of the Premier League season.

United, who have suffered their lowest league finish since the league’s formation in 1992, now must beat Manchester City in the FA Cup Final at Wembley next weekend in order to compete in Europe next season. Meanwhile, Brighton are now on the look-out for a new manager, following the announcement of Roberto De Zerbi’s departure at the end of the season.

United could have secured European football in some capacity by finishing seventh, but they were relying on Newcastle dropping points at Brentford. Eddie Howe’s side, however, were in command throughout the afternoon and ended 4-2 victors.

Such contingencies meant that Diego Dalot’s opener on 73 minutes was largely inconsequential in the grander picture of the Premier League table.

United rarely exerted much control in the match, but Rasmus Hojlund’s impressive solo effort two minutes from time boosted United’s spirits ahead of their seismic cup clash next weekend.

The future of United boss Erik ten Hag seems tenuous, and his hopes of salvaging a self-professed “disappointing” season rest on cup glory.

Brighton, in the meantime, will now look to rebuild after an 11th-placed finish with De Zerbi departing the club amid rumours of interest from elite European clubs such as Bayern Munich and Juventus.