A youthful Manchester United team ended their 2016-17 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
First-half goals from Josh Harrop and Paul Pogba saw the Red Devils lead by two at the interval, and that was how the scoring finished in Manchester.
The standout moment of the second period came late on when 16-year-old Angel Gomes became Man United's youngest ever player in the Premier League era, but the teenager could not join fellow debutant Harrop on the scoresheet.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! So, here we have it. The final day of the 2016-17 Premier League campaign. There is a strange atmosphere at Old Trafford for what is basically a dead rubber, but Sports Mole has all of the action covered as Manchester United welcome Crystal Palace. The Red Devils will finish sixth regardless of what happens this afternoon, but Palace can finish as high as 11th if they collect maximum points and other results go their way. Stay tuned for all of the action from Old Trafford!
Man United have played Palace 15 times in the Premier League, and have never lost. Indeed, the Red Devils have won 12 of their 14 previous league fixtures with the Eagles, who have lost on every one of their seven Premier League visits to Old Trafford. What's more, Man United boss Jose Mourinho is unbeaten against Palace manager Sam Allardyce in the top flight of English football.
Regardless of what happens at Old Trafford this afternoon, Man United will have won the fewest number of games in a single Premier League season (currently 17), with that record worse than their tally from 2013-14 and 2015-16 (both 19). The 20-time English champions will finish sixth in the Premier League this term, and they are currently on a five-game winless run in England's top flight.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Mourinho had been expected to send out a youthful XI with his focus firmly on next week's Europa League final, but Palace were expected to be at full strength. Have both of those things occurred? Let's see...
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TEAMS!
MAN UNITED: Pereira; Fosu-Mensah, Bailly, Jones, Mitchell; McTominay, Tuanzebe, Pogba; Lingard, Rooney, Harrop
CRYSTAL PALACE: Hennessey; Ward, Kelly, Tomkins, Schlupp; Milivojevic, Puncheon, McArthur; Zaha, Benteke, Van Aanholt
Joel Pereira, Demetri Mitchell and Josh Harrop will all make their Premier League debuts for Man United this afternoon, while there is a full debut for midfielder Scott McTominay, who appeared against Arsenal earlier this month. As expected, it is a youthful XI which also includes Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe, but there is experience in the shape of Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Paul Pogba and Wayne Rooney. Angel Gomes, 16, is named on the bench by Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho.
As for Palace, an experienced side includes the likes of Christian Benteke, Jason Puncheon and Wilfried Zaha, while Patrick van Aanholt is given an attacking role for the Eagles at Old Trafford, with Jeffrey Schlupp included at left-back. The continued absence of Scott Dann means that Martin Kelly continues at centre-back, while Wayne Hennessey keeps his position between the sticks.
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So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Manchester. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's start with Man United. It has been a really bizarre few weeks in the Premier League for the Red Devils, with Mourinho making wholesale changes due to the club's involvement in the Europa League.
Man United were very much in the top-four race when they won 2-0 at Burnley on April 23, with that success their third on the spin in the Premier League. Back-to-back draws against Manchester City and Swansea City harmed their challenge, however, before a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on May 7 all but ended Man United's hopes of securing a Champions League position via the league.
Twelve #mufc academy graduates in today's squad pic.twitter.com/iJRhT2hwDG — Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) May 21, 2017
A 1-1 draw against Spanish outfit Celta Vigo on May 11 saw Man United progress to the Europa League final with a 2-1 aggregate success, and the Red Devils will face Dutch giants Ajax in the final of that competition on May 24. A win for Mourinho's side in Stockholm next Wednesday and the club would secure an automatic spot in the group stage of the 2017-18 Champions League.
Mourinho again made changes for last weekend's visit to White Hart Lane, and a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur made it four league games without a win. The Red Devils then travelled to Southampton on Wednesday night to play their spare match, and the drab affair finished goalless. In truth, Mourinho could do without facing Palace here as all of his attention is on the Ajax fixture.
Only second-place Tottenham (4) have lost fewer Premier League games than Man United (5) this season, but the 20-time English champions have incredibly shared the points in 15 of their 37 league fixtures. What's more, Mourinho's side have drawn 10 of their 18 Premier League games at Old Trafford, recording just seven wins, which is only the ninth-best home form in the division.
Only Premier League champions Chelsea (42) have taken more away points than Man United (35) this season, but Old Trafford has not been a happy home. It would certainly be nice for Mourinho to watch a youthful XI beat Palace this afternoon, but the Ajax clash is everything to Man United this season. Winning the League Cup and Europa League would be seen as a decent campaign all things considered, but defeat next week and serious questions would be asked of the Man United boss.
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As for Palace, Allardyce's side ensured that they would play Premier League football next season when they thumped Hull 4-0 last weekend, relegating the Tigers in the process. Those three points moved the Eagles into 13th position in the table, and they could finish as high as 11th if they beat Man United here and other results go their way. Allardyce, once again, has kept a struggling team in the league.
Twelve wins, five draws and 20 defeats is how Palace have performed in the Premier League this season, with 21 of their 41 points coming on the road. Indeed, the Eagles have the third-worst home record in the Premier League this season, and no team has suffered more home defeats (11) than Palace in England's top flight during the 2016-17 campaign. That is something that has to improve next season.
Just three points separate 16th-place Watford from 13th-place Palace entering the final matchday of the season, and with money increasing for every position higher up the table, Palace certainly have something to play for this afternoon. On paper, 11th would read very nicely for Allardyce, but 16th would be disappointing considering the squad, which is full of quality, at Selhurst Park.
22y 284d - @ManUtd have named their youngest starting XI ever in Premier League history today. Fledglings. pic.twitter.com/twKcih5SSN — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 21, 2017
Here we go then. The pre-match talk is over, time for some football. Can Man United finish the 2016-17 Premier League campaign on a high, or will Palace become the latest team to frustrate the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Stay tuned right here to follow minute-by-minute coverage of the action...
KICKOFF! Man United kick things off at Old Trafford...
... as expected, Man United have had more of the ball in the opening exchanges, with Harrop showing nice ability in a wide position before winning a corner. Bailly is among those to go forward, but Palace manage to clear their lines. It should be an open game of football at Old Trafford.
Half-chance for the away side as Van Aanholt breaks into the Man United box, but Fosu-Mensah is on hand to produce a wonderful last-ditch challenge. Early warning sign from the visitors here.
Pogba is seeing plenty of the ball in the middle of the park, but the Frenchman has not found that killer pass quite yet. It is a very open match as both teams enjoy possession of the ball here.
Again it is super feet from Harrop in a wide position, and Milivojevic brings the Man United winger to the deck with a cynical challenge. Plenty happening down the Man United left at the moment.
Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock, but it has been a very open game at Old Trafford, with both teams showing their intent in the final third of the field. Neither has managed a shot on target, although Van Aanholt came close for Palace in the early exchanges. Good feel to the game here.
Tuanzebe, as expected, is again operating in central midfield for Man United, and the teenager has been impressive in the opening 12 minutes. There is a good atmosphere inside Old Trafford as the home supporters continue to make their voices heard, but we are still waiting for the game's first real chance.
CHANCE! Rooney goes for the lob after being picked out by a wonderful pass from Mitchell, but the Red Devils captain lifts his effort just over the crossbar. Clearest chance thus far!
GOAL! Man United 1-0 Palace (Harrop)
What a goal! Man United make the breakthrough in the 15th minute of this match, and it is the debutant Harrop, who cuts inside before firing the ball into the far corner. It is a wonderful goal from the midfielder, who had collected a super pass from Pogba. What a moment for him!
GOAL! Man United 2-0 Palace (Pogba)
A second for Man United! The home side double their lead in the 19th minute as Lingard drives into the Palace half before releasing Pogba, who wriggles free inside the box before finishing into the bottom corner. This youthful Man United XI are running riot as they double their lead here!
Palace continue to enjoy decent possession in the final third, but they are all over the place at the back as Man United break forward once again. Mourinho is nice and calm on the touchline here.
Just a reminder that 16-year-old Angel Gomes is on the bench for Man United this afternoon, and we are expected to see the midfielder at some point. Palace remain in this game as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, and a corner arrives when Benteke has a shot deflected wide.
Danger for Man United as Puncheon delivers into the home side's box, but Benteke cannot make contact under pressure from two defenders. Still 2-0 with 26 minutes on the clock at Old Trafford.
Fosu-Mensah has a pop from outside the Palace box, but Tomkins is on hand to make the block as Man United break forward in search of a third goal. There is so much confidence running through this Man United team at the moment as the youthful XI continue to pass and probe in the final third.
Pass, pass, pass from Man United as they continue to probe in the final third, and everything is going through Pogba. The Frenchman looks to feed Rooney inside the Palace box, but Tomkins is tight.
Again it is smart work from Harrop as the scorer of the game's first goal works some space in a wide position, but the midfielder's effort is just wide of the far post. He has been very impressive!
Half-chance for Palace as Van Aanholt delivers a dangerous free kick into the Man United box, but Tomkins cannot make contact, and Joel Pereira can resume the play from the dead-ball line.
Palace have a free kick in a dangerous area as Fosu-Mensah brings Zaha to the deck...
... Milivojevic's free kick hits the wall before dropping wide of the post.
Lingard drives into the Palace box after finding some space in a central position, but Kelly is across at the vital moment. The resulting corner finds Tuanzebe at the far post, but his header was always wide of the Palace goal. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this afternoon.
Super defensive work from Bailly as the centre-back comes across to deny Zaha, who had danced into the Man United box. The Ivorian is going to be such a big miss in the Europa League final.
MAN UNITED SUB! Michael Carrick replaces Pogba for Man United.
We are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period.
MAN UNITED SUB! Martial now replaces Lingard for the home side.
HALF-TIME: Man United 2-0 Palace
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period of action to a close with Man United leading Palace 2-0 courtesy of goals from Harrop and Pogba. A youthful XI was sent out by Mourinho, and the players have responded with a very impressive opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford.
BENCH WATCH! Martial and Carrick both came off the Man United bench in the final stages of the first period, but there is hope that 16-year-old Angel Gomes could feature in the second period, while Willock and Dearnley could also make their Man United debuts off the bench. Palace, meanwhile, have options in the shape of former Man United striker Campbell, Sako and Lee Chung-Yong.
While it is half time at Old Trafford, why not vote in our end-of-season awards!
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RESTART! Palace resume the action at Old Trafford...
... no changes from either manager at the break, but Mourinho did introduce two subs in the final stages of the first period. Nothing from Palace boss Allardyce, but it would not be a surprise to see the former England boss look to his bench over the next 15, 20 minutes of action at Old Trafford.
Rooney finds some space in a forward position before having a pop, but Puncheon makes the block. Zaha then looks to drive away from McTominay down the other end, and the Man United midfielder brings him to the deck. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals at Old Trafford.
Martial cuts into the Palace box after smart work from Harrop, but Ward is across to make the challenge. There is certainly space for Man United to attack in the final third of the field.
Bailly is down for Man United following a challenge with Benteke, but it does appear that the centre-back will be fit to continue. He is already suspended for next week's Europa League final.
In fact, Bailly looks in trouble as he stays down following the altercation.
Willock was preparing to come on for Man United, but Bailly wants to continue.
POST! Wonderful chance for Palace as Benteke rises highest inside the Man United box, but the striker's header hits the post. Pereira was struggling to get there!
Half-chance for Rooney inside the Palace box, but the skipper's effort is blocked. Zaha then breaks down the other end of the field, although the winger cannot escape the attention of Jones.
Little over 30 minutes of football remaining at Old Trafford, and it remains 2-0 to Man United. Palace came close to halving the deficit with a header from Benteke, but the striker hit the post.
PALACE SUB! Sako replaces McArthur for the away side.
Just a reminder that Man United have one change left, and Angel Gomes, 16, remains on the bench. Not too much is happening at the moment, although Palace are enjoying possession of the ball.
Martial again breaks into the Palace box after dancing past a couple of challenges, but Tomkins is on hand to clear the danger. It is the away supporters that can be heard with 65 minutes played.
PALACE SUB! Kaikai replaces Van Aanholt for the away side.
Not too much to report in the last few minutes as both teams concede possession in the final third of the field. In truth, it is starting to have that end-of-season feel. Angel Gomes would spice this up!
Mitchell continues to impress in a wide area for Man United, with the left-back dancing past two challenges before delivering low into the box, but Hennessey is on hand to collect.
CLOSE! Palace come close once again as Sako's dangerous free kick causes problems inside the Man United box, but Rooney turns over his own crossbar!
Palace have another free kick in a dangerous area as Tuanzebe brings Sako to the deck...
... SAVE! Good save from Pereira to keep out Milivojevic's free kick.
Little over 10 minutes of football remaining at Old Trafford, and Palace are really pressing here.
PALACE SUB! Campbell replaces Zaha for the away side.
Just a reminder that Man United will face Ajax in the final of the Europa League next week. It will certainly be interesting to see who starts at centre-back with Bailly suspended for the clash in Stockholm.
Still no sign of 16-year-old Angel Gomes as we head for the final five minutes here.
Angel Gomes waits and waits, but he is currently talking to Mourinho.
MAN UNITED SUB! Angel Gomes replaces Rooney for Man United!
Gomes shows a couple of really nice touches in a forward position.
We are into the first of three additional minutes at Old Trafford.
Man United are going to finish the Premier League season with a win, but they will remain down in sixth place. Palace, meanwhile, are currently in 13th in the final moments of the 2016-17 campaign.
FULL-TIME: Man United 2-0 Palace
So there we have it. It is all over at Old Trafford, with Man United running out 2-0 winners over Palace courtesy of goals from Harrop and Pogba. It is the perfect result for the Red Devils ahead of the Europa League final next week. Thanks for joining our coverage once again. Until next time!
