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 Diogo 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.
Talking Point - Can Manchester United salvage lowest-ever Premier League finish?
Within his rallying cry on the Old Trafford tannoy following their victory over Newcastle United on Wednesday, United boss Erik ten Hag very frequently uttered the word "disappointing" to describe his side's campaign.
This was today compounded by their eighth-placed finish - their lowest since the Premier League's formation in 1992. But they have earned one opportunity to spare their blushes.
However, such test could not be tougher as they face their Manchester-based counterparts under the Wembley arch in the FA Cup Final. Victory would ensure European football for the club next season, and could well a pivotal result in Ten Hag's future at the club.
It almost seemed as if the 2-0 win against Brighton was played with next week's important clash in mind. Captain Bruno Fernandes was withdrawn on the hour mark, as well as the returning Lisandro Martinez. And to give United credit where it is due, they stayed resilient under pressure and took their chances when it mattered.
Some may argue that an FA Cup win would still not correct United's wrongdoings which led them to an eighth-placed finish, but it would go some way to restoring some pride in the under-pressure manager.
Player of the Match - Diogo Dalot
The Portuguese full-back was a crucial outlet both in defence and attack as United ground this result out of Brighton.
The hosts were well in control in the first half but United stood firm to keep the score level. Dalot then popped up in the right place to dispatch the game-changing opener.
The 25-year-old was an outlet throughout on the left-hand side.
Player Ratings:
Brighton: Steele 5, Moder 6, Webster 6, Igor 5, Barco 7, Baleba 6, Gross 5, Adingra 5, Lallana 5, Joao Pedro 6, Welbeck 5. Subs: Enciso 5, Fati 5, Lamptey 5, Gilmour 5.
Man United: Onana 7, Dalot 8*, Martinez 7, Casemiro 7, Wan-Bissaka 6, Amrabat 5, Mainoo 6, Garnacho 6, Diallo 7, Fernandes 5, McTominay 5. Subs: Evans 5, Hojlund 7, Varane 5, Rashford 5, Eriksen 5.
Match Highlights:
29' MARTINEZ CLEARS GOALBOUND EFFORT Onana looked to claim a header but Martinez leaves no room for error and smashes clear. United looking lacklustre so far and relying largely off long balls.
50' CASEMIRO OFF THE LINE! A fantastic move from Brighton and Joao Pedro looks to have swept home from Moder's cross just yards out but Casemiro is there to block off the line. Twice Brighton have now been denied by such last ditch heroics. Lallana can't get his subsequent effort on target.
60' UNITED BOO AS FERNANDES IS PULLED Ten Hag opts to take off Bruno Fernandes, who has looked out of sorts this afternoon, alongside Martinez. United fans make their discontent known. Rasmus Hojlund and Jonny Evans enter.
73' GOAL! BRIGHTON 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (DALOT) United are ahead through an expert Dalot finish! Casemiro's long ball - intended for Hojlund - falls to the feet of the United full-back. Dalot slides an impressive effort past Steele for just his second goal of the season.
88' GOAL! BRIGHTON 0-2 MANCHESTER UNITED (HOJLUND) A stunning solo effort from Hojlund. He has not received much support from his wingers since his introduction, and receiving the ball with his back to goal, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He burst past Brighton's midfield and split their defence before racing through on goal and powering an effort past Steele.
Key Stats:
--
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
