Your Monday Briefing: 10 talking points for Reds

THE PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON IS OVER
Our 2017/18 top-flight campaign concluded with a 1-0 win over Watford at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The victory, secured by Marcus Rashford’s simple first-half finish, means the Reds finished in second place with 81 points, 25 wins, six draws and seven defeats, plus 68 goals scored and 28 conceded. A runners-up position is never satisfactory, but it represents progress on 2016/17. 

MICHAEL CARRICK MADE HIS LAST APPEARANCE
It was an emotional day for our club captain as he enjoyed one final outing as a player, which was deservedly preceded by a guard of honour from both sides. It was his visionary pass that led to Juan Mata setting up Rashford’s decisive goal and, afterwards, the 36-year-old delivered a heartfelt farewell speech, in which he thanked the fans, Jose Mourinho and wished Sir Alex Ferguson well. 

RUI FARIA ALSO WAVED GOODBYE
It was announced on Saturday evening that our assistant manager will leave United at the end of the season, after working with Jose for almost two decades at some of European football’s biggest clubs. “I have had 17 years of incredible and unforgettable experiences,” Faria explained in a statement released on ManUtd.com. “However, I have felt for some time that I would like to spend much more quality time with my family before pursuing any new challenge in my professional life.”

DAVID DE GEA COLLECTED HIS GOLDEN GLOVE 
The Spaniard won the award on Thursday night when he registered his 18th clean sheet of the Premier League season, in the 0-0 draw at West Ham. Although he was rested against Watford on Sunday, with Sergio Romero starting instead, our popular no.1 was presented with his prize before kick-off. 

SUPPORT FOR SIR ALEX
A well-received banner was unveiled at Old Trafford, carrying the message "Every single one of us loves Sir Alex Ferguson". It was a show of support to our former manager from the fans and many of the players, including Marcus Rashford, tweeted about it afterwards.

🙏🏾❤️ pic.twitter.com/fd9wIsYcHd

— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) May 13, 2018

THE HEROES OF 1968 WERE HONOURED
Eight surviving members of our 1968 European Cup-winning squad - Sir Bobby Charlton, Paddy Crerand, John Fitzpatrick, Denis Law, Jimmy Rimmer, Jim Ryan, David Sadler and Alex Stepney - were also celebrated on the pitch ahead of the weekend’s match, to mark the 50-year anniversary of that famous success over the mighty Benfica at Wembley Stadium. 

ANTHONY MARTIAL IS INJURED
The France international was omitted from the squad to face Watford and, speaking afterwards, Mourinho revealed he had suffered an injury in training on Friday and the severity is still unknown. As such, it remains to be seen if the no.11 will be fit for Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup final. 

CHELSEA WERE THRASHED
Our opponents in the season finale, Chelsea, experienced a disappointing ending to their Premier League season by losing 3-0 to lowly Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. Blues manager Antonio Conte was scathing in his reaction, telling reporters: “For the next game, for sure we must change. If we think we can play a game like this in the final of the FA Cup then we don’t have a chance.”

Our final Premier League game of the season ends in defeat. #NEWCHE pic.twitter.com/d6MW5dZkjY

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 13, 2018

LOAN STAR HEADING TO WEMBLEY
Academy goalkeeper Dean Henderson kept a clean sheet as his temporary club Shrewsbury Town reached the League One play-off final with a 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic (2-0 on aggregate). The Shrews will now face either Scunthorpe or Rotherham on Sunday 27 May. Elsewhere in the loan system, fellow stopper Sam Johnstone also kept a vital clean sheet in Aston Villa’s Championship play-off first leg at Middlesbrough, with the return fixture set to be played at Villa Park on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Charlie Scott made his second appearance for Hamilton as they lost 3-0 at Motherwell.

OUR #PL1000 POLLS ARE OPEN
Sunday’s game was our 1,000th in the Premier League and, to celebrate the milestone, we’ve opened a series of polls that will name our best goal, game, save, player and XI from that time. You can cast your votes by visiting ManUtd.com/PL1000 and the results will be announced on Wednesday.