Man United avoided their worst-ever points total in the Premier League but not their lowest placing despite a 2-0 win at Brighton – starting Rasmus Hojlund is a must for any FA Cup glory

Brighton said goodbye to Roberto De Zerbi and Manchester United could say goodbye to Europe unless they win the FA Cup final next weekend. Based on this evidence, it’s a huge ask.

Goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund were enough to give Erik ten Hag victory in the south coast sunshine, but they will have to play that much better to trouble Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.

United could easily have suffered a fifth straight defeat to the Seagulls after losing to Brighton, having lost their shock value since Ten Hag embarrassed himself in his first game at Old Trafford early last season.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side were better here again for a long time when the Italian signed off as manager at the Amex Stadium after two years, but they failed to make it count and were punished with late goals in the final quarter.

Victory meant that United did not finish with the lowest ever points total in the Premier League, but not with the lowest placing. Eighth position means they have lost out on goal difference to Newcastle for a Europa Conference spot after their rivals’ win over Brentford.

A two-goal win here still meant they finished the Premier League season with minus goal difference for the first time after conceding a club record 58 goals in the competition.

United’s only remaining route to Europe is to beat City in the cup final and qualify for the Europa League. Missing out for only the second time since 1990 may not be the worst thing for a club that has struggled to find any form or fluidity during an injury-riddled season.

As Brighton fans unfurled the ‘Forza De Zerbi – Italian Job’ banner for the final time, Ten Hag can only hope that Sir Jim Ratcliffe does not decide that United also need a new manager. The Zerbi has been linked as a potential replacement, although the chances of that appear to be decreasing.

The late announcement of his departure on Saturday was such that no mention was made of it in his final program notes.

In the first half his players gave him another lively performance that has become so characteristic of his tenure. United, on the other hand, produced another of those disjointed displays that make you wonder what they’ve been doing on the training ground all week.

Ten Hag was able to give Lisandro Martinez his first start since early February in time for Wembley and bring Raphael Varane back to the bench after more than six weeks of absence. The Frenchman came on in the 69th minute for Sofyan Amrabat – who has impressed in recent games but has struggled here – in a move that eventually brought Casemiro back into midfield.

A more telling substitution was the double substitution on the hour mark, with Jonny Evans replacing Martinez and, more importantly, Rasmus Hojlund coming on for Bruno Fernandes.

Using Fernandes and Scott McTominay as false nines again didn’t really work, and Hojlund gave United more attacking focus which changed the game.

Up to that point, Brighton had dominated much of the match and created their best chances, most notably when Aaron Wan-Bissaka cleared Joao Pedro’s line and Martinez made a crucial interception to keep out Adam Webster’s header from a corner. .

Webster headed wide again from Valentin Barco’s cross, Pedro fired an effort wide of the far post and Andre Onana kept out Barco’s shot with his left foot after Simon Adingra had turned Kobbie Mainoo and ripped through the heart of United’s midfield.

The visitors’ chances were few and far between and McTominay wasted the best of them from a breakaway in the 26th minute, lifting the ball over the bar with only Jason Steele to beat after being played in by Fernandes.

United’s lackluster performance was summed up in extra time at the end of the first half when Fernandes sent a corner kick over a crowded goalmouth and cleared out of play, much to the delight of the Brighton fans.

They perked up in the second half and especially after Hojlund’s arrival. When Evans made a pass over the top in the 73rd minute, the Dane’s physical presence was enough to deter Igor Julio. The ball hit the defender’s hand and rolled into the path of Dalot, who raced through to bury a shot past Steele.

In the 88th minute, Hojlund exchanged passes with Christian Eriksen in midfield and drove past Julio before firing home.

If Ten Hag still has doubts about which system to play against City, Hojlund has made a strong case for leading the attack at Wembley. United’s European ambitions depend on it.