Manchester United might have a tactical rethink for the FA Cup final after beating Brighton

A good end to a bad league season. Manchester United have a modicum of momentum to take down Wembley Way next week with successive wins for the first time in two months.

Celebrations were not tempered in the away end when Diogo Dalot charged towards them but they will not be extended. Newcastle's victory at Brentford consigned United to an eighth-place finish, their lowest since 1990. United fans responded at the final whistle by belting out, "Twenty times, twenty times, Man United".

United's name will not be in any European competition draws in August unless they defeat four-time reigning champions Manchester City at Wembley. That will not have been lost on their supporters yet they supported with admirable gusto once again.

The United followers have been braced for this inevitability for weeks. There has been a strange atmosphere in the stands over the past fortnight, with a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace greeted raucously by those who expertly concealed their disgust in the Arthur Wait Stand at Selhurst Park.

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United had 3,000 away-dayers in attendance at the Amex Stadium and they were again at their loudest whenever previewing next week's FA Cup final. That date in the calendar has ensured the soft criticism of the players and manager in recent weeks. The United fans enjoyed their day in the Hove sun and were in a nostalgic mood, airing odes to Anderson, Jaap Stam et al.

Erik ten Hag does not usually approach the away end at full-time unless he passes them en route to the tunnel. He predictably made an exception on this occasion and expressed appreciation. The United end was still teeming and singing "We're on the march with Ten Hag's army". United's party lingered for so long the impatient Brighton fans started to boo, keen for their team's lap of honour to commence.

This was United's first victory at Brighton since their promotion in 2017 with a crowd present. Brighton fans unfurled a banner expressing their gratitude to departing coach Roberto de Zerbi and their performance was in keeping with the erratic second season they have endured under the Italian.

Dalot beat his chest after the players broke from the line-up and did likewise in celebration. Dalot has shown that sense of adventure before and was due a goal.

One change signalled the importance of the game to Ten Hag, who seldom rotates en masse. That changed at half-time, with Newcastle 3-0 up at Brentford and all but assured of victory and seventh place.

Bruno Fernandes was hooked on the hour and other certainties for the starting XI on Saturday followed. United's contest lacked jeopardy at kick-off and was devoid of any at all in the second half.

The brain trust was still present. After Fernandes ballooned a corner into touch, the new technical director Jason Wilcox was seen enlightening a pensive Sir Dave Brailsford in the front row of the directors' box. Wilcox accompanied his pointers with finger-pointing.

Retaining Fernandes at the apex of the attack was, initially, a reasonable indicator that he could stay there for the FA Cup final. Fernandes was United's false nine at the Etihad in March, an experiment that yielded a goal but not victory, and this was the most unconvincing of the three experiments.

Rasmus Hojlund might have been listed among the certain starters at Wembley before the final day but tactical surprises have been a theme of Ten Hag's encounters with City and they have often involved the relocation of Fernandes.

Hojlund made a compelling case to start with a second goal off the bench in as many games. United were more energetic and balanced after the Dane's introduction as the focal point of the attack and he is now United's outright top scorer on 16 goals.

De Zerbi is one of Pep Guardiola's acolytes and Brighton's possession-based style left Fernandes chasing shadows in the sun to ensure he did not go cold in the shade. Brighton ended the first half with almost 60% of the ball and ten shots already recorded. Valentin Barco and Joao Pedro squandered the clearest openings.

Fernandes ended the half by seeing the yellow card. United's sole chance was created for a striker and Scott McTominay did not resemble one with his heavy first touch and heavier shot.

Brighton players took turns to embrace the substituted Adam Lallana on his final appearance. Fernandes disapproved and reminded the referee to be mindful of the added time. Lallana was only in Hove for four years and was treated to his own send-off from the United followers who remembered his six years on Merseyside: "You Scouse b*****d."

Fernandes was soon following him, rested for Wembley. As was Lisandro Martinez, who came through 59 minutes unscathed on his first start in more than three months. Fernandes, Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo are indispensable.

Now United have to aim for a good end to a bad season.