Wilfried Zaha strike for Crystal Palace sinks woeful Manchester United

Manchester United’s worst season in 30 years of the Premier League ended with a typical whimper. As their two deepest rivals competed for the title, the best United could hope for was avoiding next season’s Europa Conference League.

Objective achieved, an undesirable new frontier avoided though little thanks to United. West Ham’s loss to Brighton meant they crept into the Europa League despite Wilfried Zaha’s first-half goal delivering a sixth successive away defeat. After a season concluded with a goal difference of zero and some excruciatingly poor performances, Selhurst Park a case in point, playing any form of European football next season feels a like wholly undeserved bonus. The Glazer family owe Brighton and Graham Potter a debt of gratitude their own billion-pound team are not worthy of.

The darkest hour is before the new dawn? In the stands sat Erik ten Hag, clad in summer jacket alongside the United football director, John Murtough and Steve McClaren, returning to the club as the Dutchman’s assistant. The incoming manager had abandoned a post-season Caribbean jolly with Ajax to catch his new charges in action. Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira, whose Crystal Palace team have exceeded many expectations, and appearing unruffled by his Goodison Park dust-up, was hailed by the home fans after a season of progress and exciting football.

Edinson Cavani was playing his final match for United. Hannibal Mejbri, the teenage Tunisian who kept busy enough while never really imposing himself, could be a face of United’s future, though doubts circle most of his teammates. Cristiano Ronaldo had not traveled to south London, and the given explanation of a recurring hip problem did little to quell discussion over where his future may