Were Manchester United right to cancel their end of season awards?

The awards were set to take place on 20 May but the club do not want any any distractions before the FA Cup final against Manchester City five days later.

However, rather than postponing the event it has been cancelled.

Former Arsenal striker Theo Walcott says it is disappointing for breakout players of the season, like Kobbie Mainoo, to not get the suitable recognition they deserve.

Watch the Monday Night Club debate below.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

In an extended interview with BBC Sport, Paul Barber, the CEO who joined Brighton in 2012 - five years before they were promoted to the Premier League - has reflected on the turnover of staff while the team have achieved historic landmarks in recent seasons.

Manager Graham Potter joined Chelsea in September 2022 and key recruitment personnel Paul Winstanley and Sam Jewell have also since made the move to Stamford Bridge.

“We have lost good people - and Chelsea have taken a lot of them,” says Barber. "They are taking the hose, not the water supply. The water supply is Tony [Bloom] and the incredible data we use.

“We work very hard on succession planning. It's one of the things I'm obsessive about. I try every day to think about what would happen if we were to lose one of our top 20-25 people, on and off the field. Not players – staff. Who would be the obvious replacement and where are they? Are they ready to step up?

“Player recruitment is not a perfect science. We have a 'twin track' of investing a lot of money in our academy to find players on our own doorstep and finding talent from parts of the world others are not even looking in, let alone recruiting from. It is that part which gives us confidence.”

Newcastle United

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, speaking to Sky Sports. On hopes of qualifying for Europe: "When you look at our form at the turn of the year it wasn't particularly good.

"We have work to do and we have two difficult games. That is our target and that was a realistic aim for us - it is close, but we still have a long way to go."

On Kieran Trippier starting: "He brings a wealth of experience and he is a very good defender. He has been good for us with the ball this season, he has created goals and is very good in attacks. His technical ability is of the highest ability."

On Alexander Isak being fully fit: "He trained fully yesterday so no doubts."

Image source, .

We have started to feel sorry for Manchester United, haven't we? Saying things like 'they put up a good fight' in their defeat by Arsenal, or talking about how they pushed them and made it edgy.

I agree they did all of the above, but surely with Manchester United you want to see a bit more quality in their performance as well? At the moment, they are showing about as much quality as the roof at Old Trafford did during the downpour after Sunday's game.

It's hard to see anything different from them this time so, with apologies to Manchester United's fans, I am going to back their team to lose again.

I might have been wrong with the exact scoreline in the Gunners game, but Arsenal were always going to win - more than 57,000 of you voted on the outcome on my predictions page last week and 74% of you agreed with me. I don't think anyone was surprised by the result.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Chelsea

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, speaking to BBC Sport ahead of kick-off: "It is important to finish the season strongly. We have the option to fight and be in Europe. The victories have allowed us to achieve what we want.

"It is true that we need to face two teams, Brighton and then Bournemouth who are doing well - two really tough games."

On Malo Gusto starting: "He is a young guy that has come from France. He had some good and bad [performances] he is always fighting, but yes the situation with Reece [James] made us give more confidence and possibilities for players to play.

"It's unlucky that it's the end of the season because when you see the bench today we nearly have the whole team all ready, but it is only two games till the end of the season."

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

I am not sure there will be much honour involved but Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was asked if he and his players would do a 'lap of honour' after tonight's final home game of the season against Newcastle.

Given United have scrapped their end of season awards dinner, it was a fair enough point.

But Ten Hag says his players will walk round Old Trafford.

"Yes we will do. Yes, of course," he said.

"Good times and bad we are together. The fans are showing we are together, so yes we will do."

Ten Hag has singled United supporters out for praise in recent weeks, in particular for the way they remained behind the team during their recent 4-0 hammering by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Brighton have only won two of their 17 league matches against Chelsea - both victories were last season.

In the reverse Premier League fixture this season, Chelsea defeated Brighton 3-2 at Stamford Bridge.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton can finish in the top half of the Premier League for the third consecutive season, after finishing sixth last year and ninth in 2021-22.

Albion have failed to score more than one goal in any of their last 11 Premier League games - their longest such run since August 2015.

The Seagulls have only lost three of their home fixtures this season, against West Ham, Arsenal and Manchester City.

Image source, .

Tough decisions ahead, but Newcastle must build a wall around Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak. Same with Bruno Guimaraes, unless they get that £100m offer towards the end of June that would activate a release clause.

As for who to sell, I think Callum Wilson is an obvious contender given his age and injury record, while Miguel Almiron could be considered if a decent offer comes in.

Newcastle do have to bring money in so that might make Sean Longstaff vulnerable, especially with Sandro Tonali coming back from his suspension.

I would hesitate to sell Kieran Trippier purely because of his versatility and leadership qualities – but money does talk.

Chris Sutton
Former Celtic striker

Image source, .

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For Wednesday's game between Brighton and Chelsea, which was postponed from week 34 because of the FA Cup semi-finals, he takes on singer-songwriter and Arsenal fan Sam Tompkins.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Brighton got a good draw with Newcastle United at the weekend, but their results in the second half of the season have not been great.

There has been a lot of talk about the future of Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi but, as I have said before, perhaps his stock is not what it once was. He is not being linked with every big vacant managerial position in Europe any more.

In contrast, Chelsea are flying. They have got sixth place in their sights and they have certainly found some consistency, even if it has come a little later in the season than they would have wanted.

I actually fancy them here, for what would be their fourth win on the spin.

Tompkins' prediction: 2-0

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

After the stadium problems they encountered on Sunday, Manchester United could have done with a dry evening at Old Trafford.

But the TV people below me have their umbrellas up and there are grey skies overhead.

I am not expecting the kind of storm we had at the weekend but you never know what's going to happen here at the moment.

Manchester United

Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag, speaking to Sky Sports.

On senior players returning form injury: "Very good because you have seen the last few games we have only had academy players on the bench. Now we have some senior players, players who can make a difference when they come on.

"They [injured players] are working so hard and they want to be involved. They want to fight for this club."

On Rasmus Hojlund being on the bench: "We want to keep him fresh and it is a long season for the young players, sometimes his energy levels are dropping and we want to keep him fresh. We have Brighton and then an FA Cup final, so much to fight for."

On who will start as Man Utd's centre forward: "You will see."

Watch this interview where Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson discusses the importance of mental wellbeing in football.

Brighton forward Danny Welbeck and midfielder James Milner have agreed new contracts with the club. Welbeck, 33, has committed his future to June 2026, while 38-year-old Milner has extended his deal for a further season.

Head coach Roberto de Zerbi said: "They both deserve these extensions. Their qualities as footballers and as individuals are very clear for everyone to see, so this is very good news."

Former Manchester United striker Welbeck - who joined in October 2020 - said: "I’ve had an amazing time. Each season has been special and we’ve progressed every year. This season has been very difficult with the Europa League commitments. The fixture list has been different, but it’s been a great step.

"A couple more key acquisitions for the squad will help us push on next season and I'm pretty sure we can achieve some more special moments."

Milner, who spent eight years with Liverpool before moving to the Seagulls last summer, added: "I'm as driven as ever and excited for next season. I really enjoyed the first half of this season as the club played in Europe for the first time. The second half has personally been disappointing with a couple of injuries, but I will be ready for the start of next season."

Statman Dave
Football analyst on Planet Premier League podcast

I was at Old Trafford when Manchester United faced Arsenal and one of the most interesting things is the performances have been so bad recently that the fans have stepped up.

The performance wasn’t that bad and there was some stuff that Man Utd can build on, but Arsenal are so far ahead that there was an acceptance from the Man Utd fans.

Listen to the Planet Premier League podcast here.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is using tonight's programme notes to call for a united front as the club attempt to rediscover the route to success.

United were far better against Arsenal on Sunday than in their four-goal hammering at Crystal Palace just over a week ago.

But they still lost - and Arsenal looked pretty comfortable as they gained the points needed to keep the Premier League title race running.

"Arsenal's strength is the result of years of continuity and process," said Ten Hag.

"Our supporters understand we are still undergoing our own development and there will be positive times to come if we all continue pulling in the same direction.

"They (supporters) recognise where the club is and the issues we have faced this season.

"But while injuries and bad luck have certainly been factors, they are not factors we can hide behind. We know that we all need to improve next season."

Former England winger Chris Waddle, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast after Chelsea's victory at Nottingham Forest: "In possession they are a very good side. They have some talented footballers - we know that. They are desperate for a centre-forward, I've got to say. I know [Nicolas] Jackson scored but he's not the answer if Chelsea want to be a top-four team.

"How do you replace Thiago Silva? He's a top player and has been for years with his experience. It's great to have [Reece] James back as well as he's a very talented player. They're about two or three players off being a top-four team but they're definitely going in the right direction.

"They have to sort out this manager situation out quickly. Is he [Mauricio Pochettino] staying or going? You can't keep changing managers. I think he's done a good job with the tools he's had and they're only going to get better under him.

"Like I said, a couple more additions and there's no reason they can't be challenging [for the] top four."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds