Manchester United have signed off at Old Trafford for this season, producing a 3-2 victory to beat Newcastle United in the penultimate game of the Premier League campaign.
United were beaten by Arsenal just days earlier but came up with a better performance against the Magpies.
Kobbie Mainoo put United in front before Anthony Gordon levelled it up, only for Amad Diallo to rifle United back ahead again.
Rasmus Hojlund seemed to wrap it up at 3-1, but a Lewis Hall strike set up a nervy finale.
United managed to see it out, claiming a morale-boosting victory ahead of the final-day clash against Brighton and Hove Albion.
United then head into the FA Cup final against Manchester City, so the season isn’t done and dusted just yet.
Wayne Rooney on Anthony Martial
This was a chance for Erik ten Hag to thank the United fans for their support throughout a very testing season.
There were a couple of goodbyes too as both Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial said their farewells.
The French duo are leaving United this summer as their contracts come to an end.
Both players have been plagued by injuries in recent times but they were given a send-off ahead of becoming free agents.
Wayne Rooney has now highlighted issues in terms of United’s squad and picked out Martial as being a problem in terms of his injury record.
Speaking on Sky Sports (15/05, 22:45), Rooney noted that Martial is a ‘really nice guy’ having played with him at United.
However, Rooney can’t even figure out where Martial has been for most of the season and can’t remember the last time he actually played.
Rooney questions ‘what’s up with him?’, wondering just Martial has been on the sidelines for so long.
“Martial for instance, I’ve played with him and he’s a really nice guy,” said Rooney. “But where has he been? I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him play. What’s up with him?” He added.
When did Martial last play for United?
Martial’s goodbye comes as we approach nine years since his arrival from Monaco.
It all started so well as Martial hit 17 goals in his debut season, but the quality has arrived in fits and starts ever since.
The time has come for Martial to leave United after just 12 goals since the end of the 2020-21 season.
We can also answer Rooney’s question in terms of Martial’s last performance for United.
Remarkably, he hasn’t even been seen in action in 2024.
Martial was substituted on 56 minutes in the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on December 9th and hasn’t played since.
Martial underwent surgery on a groin injury in January and hasn’t been able to play again, making United’s contract decision fairly straightforward.
It would be a surprise to see Martial in action against Brighton or in the FA Cup final, so his final appearance may have already been and gone.