I watched Erik ten Hag get perfect Man City FA Cup final boost with Man United plan

Manchester United concluded a disappointing Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion as focus shifted to next week's vital FA Cup final with Manchester City.

Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund scored the goals for Erik ten Hag with both strikes coming in the second half. Wins for Newcastle and Chelsea mean that United's hopes of European football rest on next week's cup final.

Ten Hag's side travel to the capital to take on their city rivals with the odds heavily backed against them. The eighth place finish in the league means failure to lift the domestic cup will see them with no European football next season.

READ MORE: United player ratings as Casemiro and Hojlund good vs Brighton

READ MORE: Brighton vs United LIVE updates

Following the final game of the season against Newcastle United, the United boss promised supporters that his players will give everything at Wembley Stadium. “This season is not over yet. First we go to Brighton where we travel for three points and then we go to Wembley. And I promise you those players will give everything to get that cup and bring it to Old Trafford," he told the 75,000 fans in Old Trafford.

At Brighton, United were given an early cup final present with the return of Lisandro Martinez. After coming off the bench for seven minutes against Newcastle in midweek, the centre-back made his first start in the Premier League since the start of February.

Partnering Casemiro in the heart of defence, Martinez brought some much-needed composure to United's back line and if they are to defeat their rivals next Saturday, they will need him.

The defender lasted 59 minutes at the AMEX Stadium and it would be fair to say that his return to starting for the club went to perfection. There were also more minutes for Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

It may have been a below par performance in the Premier League this season for United but as Ten Hag said, their season isn't over and they have a chance to make it a special one next weekend.