MANCHESTER UNITED’S painful season concluded in yet more miserable fashion when they lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Though new boss Erik ten Hag was in attendance to watch the game at Selhurst Park as he begins his preparations for next season.
Paul Pogba is set to leave the club after seven years on a free, with reports the Frenchman has agreed a deal with Juventus.
United have been linked with a move for Jurrien Timber from Ajax and Jonathan David from Lille as they look to get their summer transfer business started.
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Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford…
Becks joins Hollywood royalty
Man Utd legend David Beckham joined Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and Blake Lively to cheer on Wrexham in the FA Trophy final.
However, their presence couldn’t stop the Welsh side fall to a 1-0 defeat to Bromley.
Wrexham now switch their attentions to the National League playoffs.
Will they get promoted?
Credit: Reuters Bailly row
According to reports, Man Utd recalled Eric Bailly from Ivory Coast when staff discovered he was in a different location that was agreed upon.
Bailly returned home late from the African Cup of Nations, and injured too.
The Athletic reporter Laurie Whitwell says Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick tore into him when he returned in front of the whole squad.
Russian intelligence
Ralf Rangnick received intelligence from Russia during his stint as Manchester United interim manager, reports suggest.
According to The Athletic, Rangnick was in constant contact with former Lokomotiv Moscow assistant Lars Kornetka during his six-month stint at Old Trafford.
The German tactician wanted to bring Kornetka with him to Manchester but he stayed in Russia due to commitments with Lokomotiv.
The two men have been working together for more than a decade at Hoffenheim, Schalke and RB Leipzig.
Rangnick rates his fellow German’s insight so highly that he has been tapping into him since the day he took over the Red Devils’ hotseat.
Kornetka would talk to the 63-year-old’s assistant Ewan Sharp on match days and the now former United caretaker boss always checked his phone at half-time.
Real deal
Real Madrid have reportedly opened talks with Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni in a blow to a string of Premier League sides.
Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea are among the teams who had been targeting the highly-rated midfielder.
Madrid will be hunting for high-profile summer signings after being snubbed by Kylian Mbappe on Saturday.
And journalist Santi Aouna reports that the Spanish club has been in contact and ready to make an offer.
Ronaldo stat
Cristiano Ronaldo was MIA today for Man Utd in their defeat at Crystal Palace.
The Red Devils crashed to a 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park.
Incredibly, that’s 10 games he has missed this season – and even more astonishing is the fact United haven’t won any of those matches without him.
Not so much a “problem” then.
De Gea to stay
David De Gea has revealed his plans to stay at Old Trafford for next season.
“I want to forget this season and be 100% ready for next season. It has been horrible,” he told BBC Sport.
“Ones who want to stay, stay at the club. Ones that don’t want to stay go out. You don’t have to stay”.
Ten Hag will have his own ideas.
Premier League 2021-22
This is where we finished, and who did what in terms of European qualification.
Title: Manchester City
UCL: Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs
UEL: Arsenal, Manchester United
UECL: West Ham
Relegation: Burnley, Watford, Norwich
Europa League for United
So, it’s Europa League football for Man Utd next season.
The Red Devils lost away to Palace, but with West Ham slipping to a 3-1 defeat at Brighton it didn’t matter.
They finished sixth in the table, and will want a better season next campaign.
Ten Hag, who was in attendance, has a hell of a job on his hands.
Brighton level
United are back up to sixth and a Europa League spot – thanks to a Brighton leveller.
It’s Veltman with the goal, that slipped through the grasp of Fabianski in the Hammers goal.
Ten Hag could get his hands on his first silverware there then.
And I’m sure United fans will get added satisfaction in seeing Man City fans currently suffering – as they trail at home to Villa.
As things stand
Champions -Man City
Champions League – Liverpool – Chelsea – Tottenham
Europa League – Arsenal- West Ham
Relegated – Burnley
United look like they’re headed to the Conference League.
Zaha haunts United
It’s the former United man who gives Palace the lead at Selhurst Park.
Wilfried Zaha, who couldn’t get a look in at Old Trafford but is so often Palace’s talisman, with the goal.
Patrick Vieira always loved coming up against Man Utd.
Will he win against them as a boss too?
Spot ten Hag
Erik ten Hag is in attendance at Selhurst Park!
The incoming Man Utd boss is watching his new players in action against Crystal Palace alongside assistant Mitchell van der Gaag.He doesn’t seem to be too happy either with what he’s seen so far.
Lots of work to do, he surely ponders.
Cavani and Mejbri start for Manchester United
Ralf Rangnick has named Cavani in his last game as Manchester United manager against Crystal Palace. The Red Devils are without Cristiano Ronaldo this afternoon, who is unavailable with a hip injury.
In addition, the Austrian has called up teenager, Hannibal Mejbri. Harry Maguire also returns to the back four.
Man Utd starting XI for today
Here is the team showing what they have in front of new gaffer Erik ten Hag.
19-year-old Hannibal Mejbri starts.
Will the kids play? – Line up revealed in two minutes
Man Utd are set to give the kids a chance against Crystal Palace as Charlie Savage among youngsters spotted travelling to London.
Savage, 19, could make his Premier League debut after being named in the travelling squad for their final game of the season, writes Jake Lambourne.
The Red Devils face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday in a game that will decide what European competition they will be playing next term.
Failure to beat the Eagles could see United drop down into seventh and into the Uefa Conference League.
United must claim the three points in South London or hope West Ham fail to beat Brighton at the Amex Stadium to secure a place in the Europa League.
And United could decide to give their youngsters a chance, with Charlie Savage, Shola Shoretire and Alvaro Fernandez all named in their squad.
The trio were snapped before making their way down to the capital, where they will be looking to impress incoming manager Erik ten Hag should they be given any game time.
United ‘need a reset’, says Mata
Mata went on to say United need a “reset” after a tough few seasons, demanding players “meet the standards” required to turn out for the club.
He said: “Being at Man Utd, this club needs first-class individuals for each department.
“This club should be top of the class in every department, on pitch or off. That is the only way I see this club competing for the biggest trophies.
“That’s what I hope for in the near future, otherwise you cannot compete with clubs who are doing very good things with a certain identity and professionalism in the way they make decisions.
“When you think about Man Utd you think about the best level possible, as far as I understood football growing up.
“I don’t understand this club without having first-class individuals for each department.”
Mata continued: “We have made many mistakes… we could have also dealt better with certain situations that were happening in the club, managers changing, negative things.
“Certain standards were not met. Whether that’s attitude, level of training, off the pitch, which doesn’t include players, we haven’t been good enough.
“We need a reset in the culture of the club. That’s how I feel.
Mata could stay in Manchester
Juan Mata has hinted he could sensationally STAY at Manchester United, writes Dave Fraser.
The long-serving Spanish playmaker, 34, was widely expected to quit Old Trafford on a free transfer this summer with his contract expiring, despite rumours of retiring or going into coaching.
But Mata has confirmed he will hold off making any decisions until he has spoken to Ten Hag – who will officially start work on Monday, following United’s final game of the season against Crystal Palace.
Mata told The Athletic: “I will see when we speak how we feel, what his ideas are…
“After that a decision will be made.”
Rangnick admits Ronaldo compromise
Ralf Rangnick also laments his asking of a 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo to be part of a high-pressing side.
He continued: “I am not blaming Cristiano at all, he did great in games, but he is not a pressing monster.
“Even when he was young, he wasn’t shouting, “The other team has the ball, where can we win balls?
‘It was the same with quite a few other players so we had to make compromises at one stage.
“We never found the right balance between what do we need with the ball and without the ball.”
Rangnick shoulders the blame
Interim Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick blames himself for the club’s collapse this season, writes Chisanga Malata.
The German was brought in to steady the ship following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure last November but failed to get the squad to completely buy into his philosophy.
Rangnick’s failure to adapt his strategy to his squad’s strengths has left United in a final-day battle for the Europa League spot that comes with sixth place.
And he shoulders the blame for the club losing their last five away matches on the bounce, saying: “We never came near to that aggressive, pro-active football I’d normally want to do.
“It has to do with physicality if you want to play like that. I should have done better and developed this team in a more sustainable way.”
Savage and co in the United squad today
Man Utd are set to give the kids a chance against Crystal Palace as Charlie Savage among youngsters spotted travelling to London.
Savage, 19, could make his Premier League debut after being named in the travelling squad for their final game of the season, writes Jake Lambourne.
The Red Devils face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday in a game that will decide what European competition they will be playing next term.
Failure to beat the Eagles could see United drop down into seventh and into the Uefa Conference League.
United must claim the three points in South London or hope West Ham fail to beat Brighton at the Amex Stadium to secure a place in the Europa League.
And United could decide to give their youngsters a chance, with Charlie Savage, Shola Shoretire and Alvaro Fernandez all named in their squad.
The trio were snapped before making their way down to the capital, where they will be looking to impress incoming manager Erik ten Hag should they be given any game time.
Luke Shaw could be missing on Sunday
The Red Devils face the Eagles away at Selhurst Park in their final Premier League game of the season TODAY.
Luke Shaw is a doubt to feature for Manchester United against Crystal Palace on Sunday following the birth of his second child.
Congratulations Luke and Anouska!
Ronaldo to miss Prem finale through injury
Cristiano Ronaldo has withdrawn from Manchester United’s squad for today’s Prem finale at Crystal Palace with a hip injury.
The Red Devils need victory to seal sixth place.
But 24-goal top-scorer Ron, 37, is suddenly sidelined.
Spurs ‘pave way for Utd on Johnstone’
Manchester United could be in pole position for West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone as Tottenham reportedly eye Fraser Forster instead.
Manchester United could be in pole position for West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone as Tottenham reportedly eye Fraser Forster instead.
Red Devils’ second-choice stopper Dean Henderson could be loaned out, with Bournemouth and Fulham keen.
And United have been linked with Johnstone long before Erik ten Hag was named as incoming manager.
Red Devils’ second-choice stopper Dean Henderson could be loaned out, with Bournemouth and Fulham keen.
Even Legends can’t salvage Utd pride
United’s Legends were humbled just as much as the mediocre current squad have been this season as Mark Gonzalez hit a stunner in a 3-1 Charity match win for Liverpool’s oldies.
The former Chile midfielder only spent one season at Anfield in 2006-07 – scoring two Premier League goals.
But he notched a superb 30-yard free-kick past United sub keeper Kevin Pilkington and a stoppage-time clincher.
A goalless first half was played in high spirits for good causes,including the Man Utd Foundation, with £1.3million raised as Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher captained the two teams and the likes of Patrice Evra, Jaap Stam and Andriy Voronin took part.
But Liverpool came flying out of the blocks in the second 45.
Replacement forward Luis Garcia’s cheeky stepover beat Raimond van der Gouw all ends up and Garcia rounded the keeper to roll in the opener.
Dimitar Berbatov won a penalty three minutes later to coolly slot in for 1-1.
But Dirk Kuyt hit the post for Liverpool before Gonzalez struck twice to give them victory.
Cottagers want Matic talks
EXCLUSIVE: Fulham want to talk veteran Nemanja Matic into staying in the Prem after he leaves Manchester United, writes ALAN NIXON.
The Championship winners are keen to bring the ex-Chelsea midfielder back to London.
Matic, 33, has played a key role at United lately and is still very capable at the top level.
But he is choosing to move on rather than be part of Erik ten Hag’s revolution.
Foreign interest in Matic is great but he could get a deal that works for him at Fulham and can slot back into life in London, after two great spells with the Blues.
Matic revealed he would leave United last month in a lengthy statement on social media.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
