The Reds opened May well enough, with a convincing 3-0 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford. However, our two final games, on the road, both ended in defeat - at Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.

The Seagulls did do the Reds a favour on the final day by beating West Ham United to ensure we will, at least, be playing Europa League football in 2022/23.

Three nominees are competing for the final monthly award of the season...

ANTHONY ELANGA

The Sweden international can be delighted with his progress and underlined his standing under Ralf Rangnick by starting all three of the month's games. As was the case with the team in general, the final home fixture was his most impressive performance, as he did superbly to cross for Bruno Fernandes to open the scoring against Brentford.

Elanga came off at half-time in the defeat to Brighton, with the Reds a goal down, and then worked hard for little reward at Selhurst Park, although he did break free to almost tee up Fernandes again, with a dangerous ball across the box, during the first half. Showing his versatility, he shifted to a more defensive role late in the game.

JUAN MATA

The silky Spaniard made the most of his first Premier League start of the term with a fine performance against Brentford. The midfielder pulled the strings and looked the part during an excellent display, which earned the appreciation of the Old Trafford crowd. The midfielder set up Cristiano Ronaldo for a goal, only for it to be chalked off due to offside. Juan played for 70 minutes in the no.10 role at Brighton, before being replaced by Harry Maguire, and was unlucky not to register an assist when his left-wing cross was headed goalwards by Edinson Cavani, only for Robert Sanchez to pull off an outstanding save.

Juan again showed some nice touches as a substitute and probed in vain for an opening at Palace before emotionally acknowledging the away end after the final whistle, with his contract due to expire this summer, although no decision has yet been taken on his future.

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Our leading scorer bagged what turned out to be his final goal of his first season back as a Red with a typically assured penalty in the win over Brentford. The spot-kick was awarded after he was fouled by Rico Henry, just past the hour mark, and it came after a first-half strike was ruled out for an extremely marginal offside call by VAR.

The no.7 was voted our Man of the Match by supporters and it bolsters his claim to make it three monthly awards on the trot. He was unable to help prevent the heavy loss at Brighton and was ruled out of the finale at Selhurst Park with a hip problem, ensuring he ended the term on 18 Premier League goals, third in the race for the Golden Boot behind Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah, having played five games fewer than both the joint-winners.