Latest protest near Old Traffordpublished at 15:19 25 May
15:19 25 May
The sun is out at Old Trafford, which is rather at odds with the dark clouds gathering over Manchester United.
More redundancies, no European football, so a loss of income, players earning too much and not producing anything like enough.
United head into the final day in 16th. The highest they can finish is 14th.
It is their worst season since the 1973-74 relegation campaign.
Ruben Amorim and his players will take part in a lap of appreciation after the final whistle. Amorim is due to speak to the fans and say sorry for the desperate campaign.
As I write this, the latest Manchester United fans protest against the club's ownership is under way close to Old Trafford.
Not a lot of love for the Glazer family or for Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Image source, Getty Images
Man Utd v Aston Villa: Team newspublished at 15:04 25 May
15:04 25 May
Michael Emons BBC Sport at Old Trafford
Is this a sign of what is to come for Manchester United with the players they are happy to let leave in the summer? United boss Ruben Amorim leaves goalkeeper Andre Onana, winger Alejandro Garnacho and forward Joshua Zirkzee out of the matchday squad.
Victor Lindelof, who is out of contract in the summer, starts, while Christian Eriksen, set to leave the club, is among the substitutes.
Altay Bayindir, Ayden Heaven and Lindelof start with three changes from the side that lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
Manchester United XI: Bayindir, Heaven, Maguire, Lindelof, Mazraoui, Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Diallo, Mount, Hojlund.
Aston Villa are unchanged from the side that beat Tottenham 2-0 in their last Premier League match, although they are boosted with the returns of Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey, who are both among the substitutes.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Maatsen, Torres, Konsa, Cash, Onana, Kamara, McGinn, Asensio, Rogers, Watkins.
Sutton's predictions: Man Utd v Aston Villapublished at 12:25 25 May
12:25 25 May
This might seem like one of the most stupid things I have ever said, but this is a massive game for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.
In the fall-out after their Europa League final defeat, there have been further question marks over his inability to change his system, and also how there is seemingly a lack of thought going into his substitutions after how late he left them against Spurs - his first changes came after 71 minutes.
Amorim said after Wednesday's defeat in Bilbao that if the club's owners want to get rid of him, he would go without getting any compensation. When he comes out with stuff like that, it almost sounds to me as if he wants the sack.
We had a lot of United fans on 606 after the game and I can understand both sides of the argument when it comes to Amorim's future.
On one hand, he has not adapted his tactics to English football and you could say the United team has got worse under him, which is a hard thing to do after Erik ten Hag's stint in charge.
But then you also have to consider how Amorim was kind of railroaded into taking the job in November, after being told he had to come in straightaway or he might not get the job at the end of the season. He said then that he needed to play his system, and he has not been able to bring his own players in to do that.
His problem now, though, is even if he does get the backing of the United hierarchy and gets given the chance to bring his own players in this summer, who is going to want to come to Old Trafford?
There is no European football as an incentive, and that is a massive problem.
So, Amorim badly needs some kind of positive result to end the season with, and he would probably bite your hand off now if you offered him a draw against Aston Villa, who really need a win to have a chance of making the top five.
With what's at stake for Villa, though, I am expecting them to take the points. Unai Emery's side will be too good for United, and Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers could really do some damage to their defence.
I feel sorry for Amorim, because he seems like a really nice guy who is very likeable, but that will not help him keep his job.
We asked one United fan who called up 606 on Wednesday night whether he would want to keep Amorim on and he said he would love to have Sunday lunch with him, but that is not the same as wanting him to stay on as manager, is it?
Gossip: Fernandes headlines Man Utd exoduspublished at 12:17 25 May
12:17 25 May
Captain Bruno Fernandes, the 30-year-old Portugal attacker, is one of six first-team players set to leave Old Trafford this summer. (Football Insider, external)
Denmark striker Rasmus Hojlund, 22, is another lined up for an exit with the club open to offers. (GiveMeSport, external)
Finally, centre-back Victor Lindelof will leave Unied as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season. (Fabrizio Romano, external)
All change at Old Traffordpublished at 15:23 24 May
15:23 24 May
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Change is coming at Manchester United.
It was fairly obvious the Europa League final defeat by Tottenham would focus minds about how to approach next season.
With the club struggling on the pitch and making heavy losses off it, there needed to be some strategic planning to ensure progress is made while budgets are trimmed.
Ruben Amorim gave an insight into what is to come in his final pre-match news conference of the season before the Aston Villa game.
"We were prepared for both situations - with Champions League and without - and we have an idea of the type of squad we want," he said.
"The rotation of players and the depth of the squad changes completely if you have three competitions."
In other words, while players need to go in order to bring in new ones, not everyone that leaves has to be replaced.
The bigger clubs tend to have bigger squads. If they fail to make Europe in any particular season, they tend to carry a few players because they know the numbers will be needed again the season after.
But Amorim is looking at a massive overhaul. It almost feels like a complete reset will be needed.
So expect lots to leave but a smaller number to come in, supplemented by younger players for the early rounds of the Carabao Cup - which for United will start in August.
Amorim on Europa League loss and a 'change of plan'published at 14:32 24 May
14:32 24 May
Josh Lobley BBC Sport Journalist
Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Manchester United's final Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa at Old Trafford (kick-off Sunday 16:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Amorim says he is still hurting from the Europa League final defeat on Wednesday: "It was harsh for us to lose that game because we were the better team and had more chances."
He was asked about the future of Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho but insisted that his only focus is Sunday's match.
He gave an assessment of his first season at Old Trafford: "It has been really hard, and not just for me. We had so many changes inside the club and sometimes it takes years to change all of the personnel. We need to focus on the future and be positive because I know how I want to play. That is part of the excitement that we can change something."
After previously admitting he would have preferred to join the club at the end of this season, Amorim now says that he is "really glad" to have joined in November: "We are going to avoid a lot of mistakes next season. Now is the time we can use all of that suffering to change things in the summer."
On the impact of losing the final: "One less competition means you can manage the squad in a different way. That rotation and depth of the squad changes completely. That changes the plan a little bit."
Here are some of your comments on your selection, as well as some other names thrown into the ring:
Dilbagh: I have picked Fernandes because of the amount of goals he has scored this season, and his assists for his team-mates. Also scoring the goals to help the club reach the Europa League final.
Josh: Definitely Maguire for me, although I'd say it's hard because all four deserve it to some extent. But Maguire has been so solid in the back three. He has kept so many clean sheets, and we've all seen how versatile he is, being able to play up top and right wing. His revival has been incredible and I think he deserves it.
Ashes: Fernandes has been exceptional. The team literally is a rudderless ship without him. From the subtle (he always seems to be in space for a pass), to the obvious (he tops most metrics most games), he is a class act.
John: Alejandro Garnacho. He always puts a shift in.
Rebecca: I'm picking Maguire as my player of the season. Has he been the best player this season? No. But he has given us moments we'll never forget. That 120th-minute header to beat Lyon still has me emotional. Acting as the makeshift winger to assist the assist for the goal against Bilbao. I can't hear the words "Harry Maguire" without smiling.
Pete: I've gone for Mazraoui. Yes, Fernandes gets the goals and assists, but he's not consistent enough for me, especially wearing the armband. I don't see him as a leader.
Thomas: My player of the season is Leny Yoro because while results haven't gone our way this season, he has been giving everything and made so many important tackles, blocks, and clearances. Without him, we probably would have lost a lot more games than we have, and we would probably have been relegated.
Nick: I picked Fernandes, as for me there is literally no other choice. Sure, Amad Diallo had an excellent run of form, Mazraoui looks a bargain and Maguire had moments - but Bruno was the only consistent player to keep busting his lungs for us from start to finish. He has dragged us almost single-handedly away from relegation.
Man Utd v Aston Villa: Did you know?published at 11:12 24 May
11:12 24 May
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United have won 40 Premier League games against Aston Villa – only the Red Devils themselves have beaten an opponent more often (42 wins over Everton).
However, Villa have earned eight points from their past seven Premier League games against Man Utd (won two, drawn two, lost three), as many as in their previous 31.
Villa have won just one of their past 26 final league games played away from home, winning 3-1 at Chelsea in 2001-02.
Pick your Man Utd player of the seasonpublished at 17:47 23 May
17:47 23 May
Alex Turk Fan writer
We asked our Manchester United fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one.
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes is understandably the favourite to retain his Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year trophy at the club and join David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo on a record four wins. He has been a level above again, and deserves better than Manchester United's current depths.
Amad Diallo
If not for an unfortunate ankle injury that sidelined him for three months, Amad would dominate the player of the season ballots. The exciting Ivorian has exploded this term and committed his future to United until 2030 in January.
Noussair Mazraoui
Mazraoui arrived as an add-on in the Matthijs de Ligt deal last summer, which has proven to be a £17m masterstroke. The Moroccan has shown commendable consistency at full-back, centre-back, wing-back and even in attacking midfield, and he undoubtedly has a role to play in Ruben Amorim's mammoth rebuild.
Harry Maguire
Not only has Maguire continued his renaissance at the heart of Amorim's back three, but he has also contributed multiple clutch goals. Among them were Porto (90+1), Leicester City (90+3), and, of course, Lyon (120+1) - one of the most memorable in Old Trafford's iconic history.
The 'opportunity' provided by Man Utd's 'embarrassing' seasonpublished at 09:15 23 May
09:15 23 May
Alex Turk Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
As Manchester United supporters pick themselves up after a damning night in Bilbao, I would like to offer the glimmer of optimism this fanbase desperately needs.
There is no excusing United's season. It is embarrassing. The players, coaches and board are all culpable and are receiving the scrutiny they deserve.
It is going to sting for a while. But once the doom and gloom subsides, I believe we will realise the result is not as disastrous in the long run as it currently feels.
Ruben Amorim needs as much time on the training pitch as possible if he is going to adapt the hideous squad he inherited into a team capable of regularly winning football matches.
With just one game a week next season, he will have more time to work on his system and develop his players with drills and video analysis.
United will have more opportunities to improve attacking and defending set-pieces, and team-mates can enhance their understanding of each other's habits to build patterns.
Fewer games should also result in fewer injuries - an issue that hampered Erik ten Hag last season and has made Amorim's job harder this term.
He can also strengthen relationships - personally and professionally - with players, including newcomers he will recruit using funds from offloading those who cannot meet his demands.
No European football will allow United to trim the squad aggressively. They can axe stars without having to replace them.
And the financial blow of missing out on Champions League football is slightly offset by the fact salaries will not increase by 25 per cent for competing in Europe's premier cup competition.
United, naturally, have to be in there. No European football at all is painful. But if it is for one year only, the club must use it as an opportunity that should not come around again.
An emergency The Devils' Advocate podcast has landed.
BBC Radio Manchester's Gaz Drinkwater hosts following the Europa League final defeat in Bilbao.
He is joined by fellow colleague Joe McGrath, live from the airport in Spain, who says fans are "tired and trying to get their heads around what they saw".
This podcast does come with a full disclosure warning from Drinkwater though:
"This is going to be one of the moodiest listens you have ever had."
Man Utd's Evans 'has the persona of a manager'published at 07:51 23 May
07:51 23 May
Image source, Presseye
Image caption,
David Healy played with Jonny Evans as part of the Northern Ireland international team
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, who is likely to make his final appearance for the Old Trafford club against Aston Villa on Sunday, possesses the attributes to become a manager in the future, according to David Healy, his former Northern Ireland international team-mate.
Evans has enjoyed a distinguished career which has seen him have two spells with the Red Devils, play for West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City, and rack up 107 caps for his country.
The 37-year-old made 131 appearances for Manchester United between 2006 and 2015 and re-joined the Premier League giants eight years later when Erik ten Hag was manager.
Evans' medal tally with United makes impressive reading - he has won the Premier League three times, the FA Cup, the League Cup twice, the Champions League and the Club World Cup with the Premier League giants.
"Jonny has the persona of a manager, nothing fazes him and he has that calmness and experience," Healy told BBC Sport NI.
"I've no doubt he would be afforded the utmost respect from the players he would coach and manage in any dressing room he walked into, if that's what he chooses to do."
Healy, who began his career with Manchester United, described Evans as "a great servant" to the Old Trafford club.
"I was hugely disappointed, and I know Jonny was too, and although he probably wouldn't say it, a wee bit hurt, the way he left United [in 2015], because he came through the ranks.
"He represented Man Utd with great pride and great dignity and with great success under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"So to get the opportunity to return when he did, people were probably sort of thinking, 'that's a strange one', but when I saw it I wasn't shocked."
Evans initially started his second spell at United in July 2023 on a short-term basis but subsequently signed a one-year contract in September.
"I still knew how highly thought of Jonny was at United previously and it didn't take long for the manager [ten Hag] to realise, even initially for a short period," reflected Healy.
"Jonny's personality, his quality, his experience, won people over when he went in."
Healy believes that Evans ranks among the best players to have turned out for Northern Ireland.
"People talk about different eras, different people, I can only go on what I've seen over the last 20 or 30 years.
"We've had exceptional centre-halves, but Jonny is certainly up there - his medal haul is through the roof, his appearance record."
Gossip: Man Utd want to sell trio as part of squad clear-outpublished at 07:20 23 May
07:20 23 May
Manchester United have prioritised the sale of England forwards Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, as well as Brazil winger Antony, as part of their squad overhaul. (Manchester Evening News), external
Despite missing out on Champions League football, Manchester United will turn down any approaches for captain Bruno Fernandes, with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal eager to sign the 30-year-old midfielder before the Club World Cup. (GiveMeSport), external
United are also set to sell 25-year-old Netherlands defender Tyrell Malacia, who won the Eredivisie title on loan at PSV Eindhoven this season. (Manchester Evening News), external
Ruben Amorim has a summer transfer budget of just less than £100m and retains Manchester United's firm backing, despite Wednesday's Europa League final defeat. (Guardian), external
Viktor Gyokeres' uncle says the 26-year-old striker made a decision, during a family dinner, to snub United and Arsenal this summer to stay at Sporting. (Sun), external
Image source, Getty Images
