Manchester United went into the final day with nothing left to play for given they secured 3rd spot last time out. Despite this, Carrick wanted to ensure his team picked up a victory on his first game since his permanent appointment, while the focus could also turn to Fernandes breaking the assist record, and rotation for under-used squad players and potential stars of the future. With a dominant first half display, United signed off the season in style as Brighton were left waiting on their European future.

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Teams

Brighton & Hove Albion: Vebruggen, Kadioglu, Dunk, van Hecke, Wieffer, Milner (Baleba 59′), Gross, De Cuyper (Minteh 46′), Hinshelwood (Rutter 74′), Gomez (Kostoulas 59′), Welbeck (March 59′)

Subs: Steele, Veltman, Boscagli, O’Riley

Manchester United: Lammens, Shaw (Malacia 82′), Martinez, Maguire, Mazraoui (Yoro 74′), Mount (Fletcher 74′), Mainoo, Dorgu (Lacey 62′), Fernandes, Amad, Mbeumo (Zirkzee 74′)

Subs: Bayindir, Heaven, Ugarte, Cunha

Brighton & Hove Albion 0-3 Manchester United

Manchester United signed off their 2025/26 Premier League campaign in style with a polished 3-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Sunday afternoon. In what was Michael Carrick’s first match since being confirmed as permanent manager, United looked sharp, composed and ruthless, finishing the season in third place and securing a return to the Champions League. The visitors gradually took control after a lively Brighton start, and the breakthrough arrived in the 33rd minute when Bruno Fernandes whipped in a dangerous corner that Patrick Dorgu powered home with a commanding header. The assist was a historic one too, taking Fernandes to 21 for the league season, a new Premier League record.

United struck again just before half-time with a flowing move that summed up their attacking confidence. Amad Diallo and Mason Mount combined cleverly down the right before Bryan Mbeumo finished calmly to double the lead and silence the home crowd. Any hopes of a Brighton comeback disappeared only minutes after the restart when Fernandes capped another outstanding display by firing in United’s third. The Portuguese midfielder was once again the standout figure, dictating the tempo and constantly finding pockets of space as Brighton struggled to cope with United’s movement and energy. Carrick also used the comfortable advantage to hand opportunities to younger players including Shea Lacey and Tyler Fletcher, underlining the sense of transition and optimism growing around Old Trafford.

For Brighton, it was an afternoon of mixed emotions. Fabian Hürzeler’s side were second best for long periods and rarely threatened United’s defence, yet the mood lifted dramatically at full-time when results elsewhere confirmed the Seagulls had still secured qualification for the UEFA Conference League. Despite the heavy defeat, it marked another impressive achievement for a club that continues to punch above its weight in the Premier League. United’s travelling supporters, meanwhile, left the south coast in celebratory mood after a convincing performance that felt symbolic of a club moving forward again under Carrick. With Fernandes breaking records, young talent emerging and Champions League football secured, the final whistle brought genuine optimism for what could lie ahead next season.

Talking Points

The first talking point has to be for recognising the captain and standout star of the Premier League season as Bruno Fernandes claimed his record breaking 21st Premier League assist, breaking the all-time record for a single season, and joining Muller on the record across Europe’s top 5 divisions. In a career that’s brought United some serious loyalty from a star talent despite the underperforming team around him, Fernandes getting his recognition is more than overdue, and United will be hoping that next season a push for major silverware can look to reward the shift he’s put into the club.

The second talking point has to be United showing a strong attacking performance and clean sheet to round off the season, despite any worries of the players having one eye on the beach and the other on the World Cup. Despite this, United dominated the game against a team who had European potential to be playing for, and in Carrick’s first game since his permanent appointment, they ensured a strong end to the season to prevent any drop in morale or momentum ahead of a huge summer.

Finally, United gave minutes to two potential future stars, and despite some calling for more inclusion of the younger talents, both Lacey and Fletcher had minutes on the pitch to gain further experience of the top-flight. While it remains to be seen how United will recruit this summer, it’s fair to say with a United legend in the dugout, the inclusion of younger stars were certainly be key to Carrick’s plans going forward.