Manchester United

Sarah Mulkerrins
Final Score reporter at Old Trafford

Image source, Getty Images

With low expectations, Manchester United surprised.

The fans have not had much to cheer about this season, but they slowly came to life around Old Trafford as they watched their side dominate Champions League-chasing Aston Villa.

Their chances were frequent and varied - with 25 shots, 10 on target, during the game. Quite how they did not find the net until the 76th minute had Ruben Amorim kicking a water bottle in frustration before they broke the deadlock.

Their first win in the league since March ensured Amorim's post-match speech on the pitch fell on more ive ears. He apologised to all in the stadium and said next season would be better.

A glimmer of hope for the summer, but the hard work of restructuring a squad to suit his style and the owners budget is only starting.

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League season might be over, but there is no rest for Ruben Amorim's men.

Following the final game of the season, Manchester United have already flown to Malaysia for their two-match trip in Asia, before returning at the end of the week.

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown and goalkeeper Paul Robinson disagree with the trip because of player welfare after what has already been a gruelling fixture-packed season.

"I don't understand why it has been put into their schedule," Brown said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "There are international fixtures coming up as well.

"We talk about players' schedules all the time and there just seems to be getting more and more pressure on them.

"At the end of the season, you walk around the pitch and you get that feeling of 'I'm done, I'm finished'. You want to go and put your feet up and have the mental rest before the international games. You look forward to the break.

"I understand why they want to do it financially, but it shouldn't be allowed."

Robinson added: "I completely understand the commercial side of it, but the club can't then moan about the fixture schedule in the next breath.

"Not a single one of those players will want to go, but they are commercially obliged to go in their contracts."

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Highlights and analysis from Sunday's 10 final day Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Chelsea

• Liverpool 1-1 Crystal Palace

• Wolves 1-1 Brentford

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna is set to meet with Manchester United over a possible deal for 20-year-old Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho, who was the subject of a rejected £40m bid from the Italian champions in January. (i paper, external)

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

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Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist at Old Trafford

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Manchester United end the Premier League season in 15th position, their lowest finish since one season in the old Second Division in 1974-75.

However, manager Ruben Amorim still retained full from the fans when he spoke to them on the pitch, immediately after the final whistle.

He said: "First of all, I want to apologise for the season. Today after this disaster season, I want to tell you the good days are coming."

That last line received a huge cheer and United did at least end the campaign on a high note with a deserved 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, a result that denied Unai Emery's team Champions League football.

A 1-0 loss to Tottenham in Wednesday's Europa League final meant Amorim's side failed to qualify for Europe - the first time United will not have continental football since 2014-15 and only the second since 1990.

However, he gave a glimpse of what his team may look like next season and any potential transfer business in the summer after he left goalkeeper Andre Onana, left-back Luke Shaw, winger Alejandro Garnacho and forward Joshua Zirkzee out of his matchday squad.

Amorim later said he was looking forward to a full pre-season and ensuring the team did better next season. Whether he will be proved right remains to be seen.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on Manchester United's performance against Aston Villa, and the season as a whole.

Here are some of your comments:

Simon: Excellent performance - just shows what you can do when there's nothing to play for and you play how we know they can. We have been dreadful in many games this season. However there's also been some amazing moments throughout the season too... the never-give-up attitude has been amazing and just like Fergie times in some memorable matches. Ruben Amorim is right, good days are coming...

Nigel: A disastrous season but at least United saved a creditable performance to send the fans home happy. It's now all about who comes in and who goes out during the summer. Amorim and the board will have to be very creative in their transfer dealings.

George: This performance against a solid Villa team was by far the best since Amorim started as head coach. Controlled the game very well and lots of chances created, but need someone who can find the net. Trust Amorim!

Jonathan: This game summed up United this season. They played well, but lacked the killer instinct and really struggled to score. A lucky mistake by the ref even helped them avoid another embarrassing loss. With a decent striker maybe, just maybe they could compete at the right end of the table.

Eremi: After a season that has been more traumatic than I can recall with sub-par performances, I only hope Amorim is given the necessary to overhaul the squad. We need hungry players who will wear that red shirt with pride and determination, not overpaid players. Let's look forward to a fresh start next season.

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Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen spoke to BBC Match of the Day after scoring in his final match for Manchester United: "On the pitch, Bruno [Fernandes] was asking if I was going to take the penalty. I said no and that I'll give it to Jonny [Evans]. But Jonny didn't want to take it.

"It was a nice gesture. Bruno is the number one and he decides. And luckily he gave it to me today. It was a good way to see it off.

"Wednesday was a big blow. To lose a final is never nice. But we showed character to bounce back and finish the season with a smile and to give something to us and the fans."

On his United career: "My time here has been really special. There has been some good moments and bad moments. I like the pressure to be able to play for a club like United. It's been a special three years."

On what is next: "The next chapter starts with a bit of a holiday and then go with the national team and then another holiday. Then we will see where we are going to play football"

Image source, Getty Images

Ruben Amorim spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Sunday's victory against Aston Villa: "A Difficult week. Tough on everybody. But it was good spirits from the players and ers today. So we finished a terrible and hard season with a win. It's a good feeling.

"We are trying. We had momentum in other games like this. In the [Europa League] final, we were clearly the strong team. But sometimes we do not score. We had so many chances today. We are improving but we have a lot more to do next season.

"It's a special club with special people. We already know that. That's why it's so hard to disappoint them when we play badly. It was a tough season, but this club is more than this and we will try to do better next season.

"We need to acknowledge it will take time. We are going to suffer a little bit more but better days are coming. We are changing things that you can't see in the results. You can't see today but they are there. It's in the culture. It's the way we behave and do things every day."

On summer transfer plans: "You know better than me that we have rules with FFP. We can't change that in this year. We need to do something in the summer. we have a plan and we are doing that in a while. We also have a preseason to improve the players we have."

Listen to Amorim on BBC Sounds

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Manchester United had 10 shots on target in this game against Aston Villa – their most in a Premier League match under Ruben Amorim.

Image source, Getty Images

Ruben Amorim spoke to the ers at Old Trafford after victory against Aston Villa: "First of all, I want to apologise for this season. I know you are really disappointed with me and the team.

"Secondly, I want to say thank you. We are very grateful for your this season and I know it was really hard to us in many games.

"But now we have to make a choice. Do we stick in the past? Because this season is in the past. It's over. We could fight each other or we stick together and move forward.

"Six months ago, after my first three games in charge, we had two victories and one draw and I told you a storm is coming. But today, after this disastrous season, I want to tell you the good days are coming.

"If there is one club in the world that have proved in the past that they can overcome any situation and any disaster, it's our club. It's Manchester United Football Club.

"Now I want to say sorry also to my players. Sometimes I was not fair but I've tried always to be honest with you guys.

"Thank you very much and see you next season."

So the curtain has come down on Manchester United's season with a win over Aston Villa.

The Red Devils bounced back from Wednesday's Europa League final misery, but it was too little too late to mean much in what has been a dismal campaign at Old Trafford.

A lack of European football next season should give Ruben Amorim more time on the training ground to mould this United side into his own.

How are you feeling after the game and at the end of a long campaign?

Have your say on United's performance and season

Come back to this page later to find a selection of your replies

The sun is out at Old Trafford, which is rather at odds with the dark clouds gathering over Manchester United.

More redundancies, no European football, so a loss of income, players earning too much and not producing anything like enough.

United head into the final day in 16th. The highest they can finish is 14th.

It is their worst season since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.

Ruben Amorim and his players will take part in a lap of appreciation after the final whistle. Amorim is due to speak to the fans and say sorry for the desperate campaign.

As I write this, the latest Manchester United fans protest against the club's ownership is under way close to Old Trafford.

Not a lot of love for the Glazer family or for Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Is this a sign of what is to come for Manchester United with the players they are happy to let leave in the summer? United boss Ruben Amorim leaves goalkeeper Andre Onana, winger Alejandro Garnacho and forward Joshua Zirkzee out of the matchday squad.

Victor Lindelof, who is out of contract in the summer, starts, while Christian Eriksen, set to leave the club, is among the substitutes.

Altay Bayindir, Ayden Heaven and Lindelof start with three changes from the side that lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final.

Manchester United XI: Bayindir, Heaven, Maguire, Lindelof, Mazraoui, Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Diallo, Mount, Hojlund.

Subs: Heaton, Dalot, Evans, Fredricson, Ugarte, Collier, Eriksen, Mainoo, Obi.

Aston Villa are unchanged from the side that beat Tottenham 2-0 in their last Premier League match, although they are boosted with the returns of Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey, who are both among the substitutes.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Maatsen, Torres, Konsa, Cash, Onana, Kamara, McGinn, Asensio, Rogers, Watkins.

Subs: Olsen, Digne, Mings, Tielemans, Barkley, Garcia, Ramsey, Malen, Bailey.

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• Man Utd v Aston Villa

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This might seem like one of the most stupid things I have ever said, but this is a massive game for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

In the fall-out after their Europa League final defeat, there have been further question marks over his inability to change his system, and also how there is seemingly a lack of thought going into his substitutions after how late he left them against Spurs - his first changes came after 71 minutes.

Amorim said after Wednesday's defeat in Bilbao that if the club's owners want to get rid of him, he would go without getting any compensation. When he comes out with stuff like that, it almost sounds to me as if he wants the sack.

We had a lot of United fans on 606 after the game and I can understand both sides of the argument when it comes to Amorim's future.

On one hand, he has not adapted his tactics to English football and you could say the United team has got worse under him, which is a hard thing to do after Erik ten Hag's stint in charge.

But then you also have to consider how Amorim was kind of railroaded into taking the job in November, after being told he had to come in straightaway or he might not get the job at the end of the season. He said then that he needed to play his system, and he has not been able to bring his own players in to do that.

His problem now, though, is even if he does get the backing of the United hierarchy and gets given the chance to bring his own players in this summer, who is going to want to come to Old Trafford?

There is no European football as an incentive, and that is a massive problem.

So, Amorim badly needs some kind of positive result to end the season with, and he would probably bite your hand off now if you offered him a draw against Aston Villa, who really need a win to have a chance of making the top five.

With what's at stake for Villa, though, I am expecting them to take the points. Unai Emery's side will be too good for United, and Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers could really do some damage to their defence.

I feel sorry for Amorim, because he seems like a really nice guy who is very likeable, but that will not help him keep his job.

We asked one United fan who called up 606 on Wednesday night whether he would want to keep Amorim on and he said he would love to have Sunday lunch with him, but that is not the same as wanting him to stay on as manager, is it?

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Captain Bruno Fernandes, the 30-year-old Portugal attacker, is one of six first-team players set to leave Old Trafford this summer. (Football Insider, external)

Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, 22, is another lined up for an exit with the club open to offers. (GiveMeSport, external)

Finally, centre-back Victor Lindelof will leave Unied as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport