Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes added the outright record for assists in a season to his Premier League and football writers’ player of the year awards, and then scored a goal himself as Michael Carrick’s first game in permanent charge ended in victory at Brighton.
A day began that with Brighton holding outside hopes of qualification for the Champions League ended with them clinging on to a place in next season’s Uefa Conference League as they were overtaken by Sunderland but, crucially, not Brentford, to finish in eighth.
A second European campaign in their history is definitely something to celebrate for the Seagulls, but there was muted applause at the final whistle, with supporters underwhelmed by the efforts of Fabian Hurzeler’s men, who stood and waited until the news from Anfield confirmed their fate and the cheers swept round the ground.
Not that the visitors were bothered about that.
Beaten on four of the previous seven visits to this stadium, United’s supporters revelled in what was Carrick’s 12th victory in 17 games since taking over to the end of the season in January.
At that point, few fans truly believed United could secure a place in next season’s Champions League after a two-year absence.
That they have managed it with something to spare is the overriding reason Carrick has been given the job.
No-one has helped more to achieve that than Fernandes and, after equalling the record jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne against Nottingham Forest last week, he claimed it on his own when Patrick Dorgu powered home his first-half corner.
A brilliant one-two between Amad Diallo and Mason Mount created a second for Bryan Mbeumo before Fernandes drilled home a third three minutes after the restart.
Man Utd analysis: Carrick needs the right recruitment
There are a number of reasons why Carrick ended up getting the United job.
His natural calm demeanour is one; never too high, never too low. He is also the least likely person to public harangue his own players – as Ruben Amorim did. He changed formations, restored Kobbie Mainoo to the starting line-up, was visual at academy matches and gave a chance to Shea Lacey and Tyler Fletcher in this game.
These are all big ticks for any Manchester United manager.
But the main plus was that he has won matches, from the start against Manchester City to the end against Brighton and with a unerring regularity in between.
The key now is continuing that theme, but in a season that will contain many more than this season’s 40 games and with a squad that lacks Casemiro and, by common consent, the depth to compete on four fronts.
Central midfield is the stated priority, and Nottingham Forest’s England international Elliot Anderson the prime target.
But there are others.
Reports out of Italy concerning Atalanta midfielder Ederson may have indicated negotiations are more advanced than United sources believe to be the case but there is definite interest. There have been talks and a transfer is not being ruled out for the Brazilian, who is not part of Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.
West Ham’s relegation also opens up the potential for signing their Portugal international Mateus Fernandes, someone they are also keen on, for a lower price.
Not all the targets will be caught, but Carrick has done his bit.
Now he needs the recruitment team to do theirs.
