SORRY Erik, one positive does not outweigh a catalogue of negatives.
Second-half goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund may have ended Manchester United’s miserable league season on a rare high here.
But one look at the goal difference tally shows just how bad it has been.
United have now completed a campaign with a negative goal difference for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s team of 1989-90, finishing on -1.
Deluded Erik ten Hag would no doubt use that as reason to be optimistic for the future, given the amazing success Fergie went on to have.
But, in reality, not even an FA Cup triumph over champion neighbours Manchester City – the chances of which look microscopic – could shine the s*** of this embarrassing campaign.
Newcastle’s win at Brentford meant no matter what United did here, eighth was the best they could hope for.
It is the lowest the club have EVER finished in the league since its inception in 1992.
The finish has overtaken the 7th placed finish that the club slumped to in 2014, initially under David Moyes in the season after Sir Alex Ferguson‘s retirement.
That meant no Europe – unless they win at Wembley next week.
And also meant a Premier League record of 14 defeats in a single season.
At least this result avoided the shame of a worst-ever Prem points tally for the Red Devils, which defeat would have managed.
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Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
Michael Owen – He has to go
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
Ten Hag was already claiming United were in a better position compared to last year in the build-up to the game, so you can imagine how rosy he saw things after this game.
But for many, he still looks on borrowed time and there is a strong chance he gets his P45 from Sir Jim Ratcliffe this summer.
That eventuality would mean both these two sides were looking for new bosses this summer, with Brighton chief Roberto De Zerbi stepping down after this fixture.
The headstrong Italian is consciously uncoupling as his ambitions do not match that with owner Tony Bloom.
Kieran McKenna, the mastermind behind Ipswich’s back-to-back promotions, is firmly in their sights as a successor.
Brighton supporters made their mixed feelings known about the change happening in the dugout.
A banner of Roberto De Zerbi was unfurled before kick-off, and the outgoing Italian’s name was sung too, having taken them to Europe for the first time in their history.
But so was that of visionary owner Bloom, who has masterminded the club’s rise from the lower leagues and whose judgement remains unquestioned in these parts.
Final-day games are usually full of goals but chances were thin on the ground in the first half here.
Though Seagulls centre-back Adam Webster should have buried at least one of his hat-trick of headers.
United were short on attacking quality and fluffed their only good chance of the half when Bruno Fernandes played in Scott McTominay, only for the makeshift forward to blaze over.
De Zerbi has become famed for his angry outbursts on the side of the pitch when his side do not carry out his exact instructions.
And it was never going to be any different here just because it was his last game, and he ranted and raved with ten minutes to go to the break when an attack slowed down.
Joao Pedro had the goal at his mercy before half-time and just after it.
But in the first instance, he lashed wide, and in the second, a Casemiro block denied him before Lisandro Martinez repelled Adam Lallana’s follow-up.
It remains to be seen if this was Casemiro’s last United game, with the club actively trying to sell him in the hope a Saudi side comes calling.
But it was definitely the final Seagulls appearance for Lallana, who was in tears when subbed off in the 57th minute.
SunSport’s verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd’s squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.
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De Zerbi, who had previously described the ex-Liverpool man as a “teacher”, gave him a big bear hug.
While Bloom participated in the standing ovation as Lallana came off.
That sub was predictable – but Ten Hag taking off a booked Fernandes, who did not look injured, minutes later certainly was not.
Perhaps the Portuguese, undoubtedly United’s best attacking player, was being wrapped in cotton wool for the cup final.
Yet it was United who took the lead with 17 minutes to go.
Casemiro, who had attacked his critics in the build-up, clipped a long ball over the top which brushed Igor Julio’s hand and allowed Diogo Dalot to smash past Jason Steele.
Sub Hojlund wrapped things up in style with two minutes to go, beating two men before cracking one in at the near post.
It has been a difficult maiden season for the Dane, but 16 goals in all competitions is not a bad return.
The same cannot be said for United overall, though, no matter how Ten Hag may dress it up.
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