United View: Reds end season on a high

Manchester United’s season ended on a high, comfortably beating Brighton 3-0, with Bruno Fernandes setting the Premier League assist record and the confirmation of Michael Carrick as head coach on a permanent basis.

The Amex has often been a difficult place for United to visit in recent years, but on Sunday, they made light work of the Seagulls. 

Patrick Dorgu’s header from a Bruno Fernandes corner not only opened the scoring, but it also ensured that the captain overtook the assist record with 21.

For Fernandes, it’s a nice individual award and well deserved after years of displaying his playmaking ability. 

Undoubtedly, he’ll want to achieve a league title at the club before he departs, although this was still a nice accolade for the Portuguese international.

After Bryan Mbeumo doubled the lead, Fernandes would then round off the scoring in the second half, as United ended the 25/26 campaign comfortably in third, a great accomplishment given how things began.

There was a point in time when United looked like they were destined for another year of mediocrity, and even though Ruben Amorim surely had the best intentions, looking back, it does feel like the correct decision was made for all parties to part ways.

However, since Carrick has come in, he’s got the utmost out of this squad, creating a positive environment, dealing well with the media and picking up some huge wins along the way. 

And as many expected, he has now been given the reins the lead the club going forward.

Of course, the responsibility will be shared across the hierarchy, but expectations will increase after qualifying for the Champions League.

Speaking after his appointment, Carrick said, “Carrying the responsibility of leading our special football club fills me with immense pride. Throughout the past five months, this group of players have shown they can reach the standards of resilience, togetherness and determination that we demand here.

“Now it’s time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose. Manchester United and our incredible supporters deserve to be challenging for the biggest honours again.”

With Luis Enrique and other top managers being unavailable, it feels like an appropriate choice, although it’ll be a bigger challenge to manage the league and other competitions. 

There’ll be much work to do in the summer to get his squad competing at the highest level.

Don’t be surprised if United try to get their transfer business done early, like last summer with Matheus Cunha. 

There are already reports of a move being lined up for Ederson from Atalanta, as the Reds look to rebuild their midfield.

With the World Cup right around the corner, it would be wise to get players signed up before their prices potentially rise following the tournament. 

However, we’ll have to wait and see how things transpire over what will likely be another busy summer at Old Trafford.

Whatever happens, I do feel like United are at least trying to head in the right direction going forward. 

Whether they can achieve that is uncertain with rivals likely stepping up their game, but United should see another top-four finish as a real possibility.

In unrelated news, this will be my final United View column, so I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has read my work over the last four years. 

I’m sure you’ll all be thrilled to not have to put up with my opinions anymore. 

Thank you, and up the Reds!