Mark my words, Wilson - United are done for

[EvilDave]

January 26^th
Manchester United will face Championship opposition again in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup after being drawn away to league leaders Huddersfield. In other notable ties, Arsenal will travel to rivals Chelsea if they can defeat Wolves in a replay, while the winners of the South Wales Derby between Cardiff and Swansea will host Liverpool in the next round.

January 29^th
Premier League 26/38: Watford (19^th) vs Manchester United (9^th)

De Gea; Lindelof, Jones, Maguire (Bailly 77); Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Pogba (Fernandes 61), Williams (Shaw 48); Townsend, Dzyuba, Martial

A moment of madness from Daryl Janmaat handed Manchester United a much-needed win as frustration around the club’s lack of transfer business grows.

With the two sides locked at 1-1 and half-time fast approaching, Janmaat lunged in with both feet on Anthony Martial, leaving Michael Oliver with no choice but to show the Dutchman the red card. With more space and superior quality on show, United then romped to a 5-2 win, Andros Townsend grabbing a hat-trick and Artem Dzyuba breaking a long goal drought with the fifth. Given that new signings are looking increasingly unlikely at Old Trafford – Victor Osimhen the latest man to walk away from the negotiating table –  Mark Wilson will be pleased that the Russian has found his scoring boots once more. It will be the very least he needs for the business end of the season.

Watford 2-5 Manchester United

[EvilDave]

January 31^st
Manchester United fans have been given something to cheer after their club sealed the deadline day signing of Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish for a fee of £54m. United are understood to be paying around two thirds of the fee up front for the 24-year-old, who has long been tipped for the England squad. Quite how Grealish fits into a midfield which already boasts Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes will be something for Mark Wilson to figure out, but will be a welcome problem for the manager.

The transfer window closed with David de Gea still at the club, and with Sergio Romero out injured the Spaniard is expected to take the gloves for the next few weeks at least. The other want-away player, Brazilian midfielder Fred, has joined Internacional in his homeland on a lone deal until the end of the season, while Timothy Fosu-Mensah will see out the season at Swiss side Young Boys.

February 1^st
Premier League 27/38: Manchester United (6^th) vs Brighton and Hove Albion (8^th)

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Williams (Shaw 45); Grealish (Mata 61), Pogba, Fernandes; Martial, Dzyuba (Greenwood 77), Rashford

Jack Grealish got his Manchester United career off to a winning start in a narrow win over Brighton.

The former Aston Villa man was given an hour-long run-out and looked comfortable alongside Pogba and Fernandes in a new three-man midfield for the hosts before being replaced by Juan Mata. Having no designated destroyer seemed to be no problem against a Brighton side who struggled to mount an attack, and Bruno Fernandes’ first-half goal was enough to secure the win for Mark Wilson’s men. With just 11 games to go in the season, European football is still within United’s reach, and if they can make this new midfield work, they stand every chance of getting there.

Manchester United 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion

[EvilDave]

February 2^nd
Manchester United have today terminated the loan deal of Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo. It is understood the 30-year-old approached Mark Wilson to make the request after only featuring in four Premier League games to date, and his manager agreed with the idea. Ighalo will now return to China and parent club Shanghai Shenhua.

February 9^th
Premier League 28/38: Manchester United (6^th) vs Aston Villa (10^th)

De Gea; Laird (Wan-Bissaka 83), Bailly, Maguire, Williams; McTominay (Fernandes 10), Pogba, Townsend (Lingard 70); Martial, Dzyuba, Greenwood

Manchester United’s Champions League charge picked up more pace with a tough win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Jack Grealish missed out on beating his former club after a knock in training, but fellow playmaker Pogba lashed in the second-half winner after seeing his side pegged back by Anwar El-Ghazi to earn three more vital points. Of some concern to Mark Wilson will be the early injury to Scot McTominay, who had been introduced to add steel to the United midfield, but with Grealish to return it is one area of the field they have an abundance of options for. Having won three league games in a row, the manager will be hoping to carry their momentum forward into the season’s closing months.

Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa

[EvilDave]

February 10^th
After being forced off the field just 10 minutes into Manchester United’s clash with Aston Villa, Scott McTominay will be ruled out for a minimum of three weeks with an ankle injury. The Scottish international has been a bit-part player for Mark Wilson’s side this season, but with FA Cup and Europa League games to come along with Premier League fixtures, United will be hoping for a swift return to form for the midfielder.

February 20^th
Europa League First Knockout Round First Leg: Manchester United (ENG) vs VfL Wolfsburg (GER)

De Gea; Laird (Wan-Bissaka 33), Tuanzebe, Jones, Kolarov; Grealish, Mata, James (Pogba 60); Dzyuba, Rashford, Greenwood (Martial 60)

Manchester United were on the receiving end of a shock as visiting Wolfsburg put in an outstanding performance at Old Trafford to take charge of their Europa League tie.

From the moment Ethan Laird injured himself conceding a 32^nd-minute penalty, the Germans, who are sat in the Bundesliga relegation zone, took control. A Kolarov thunderbolt pulled his team level but parity was brief, Wout Wieghorst bundling in his second of the game before the break and then setting up Renato Steffen for a close-range third after the interval. United tried and failed to gain a foothold as Wolfsburg racked up more than 30 shots on the night, and their dominance was rewarded with a fourth away goal late on through former Leicester man Josip Brekalo. On the basis of this performance United will need a miracle in Germany if they are to progress, with their Europa League campaign all but over.

Manchester United 1-4 VfL Wolfsburg

[EvilDave]

February 23^rd
Premier League 29/38: Sheffield United (20^th) vs Manchester United (6^th)

De Gea; Bailly (Tuanzebe 88), Maguire, Jones; Wan-Bissaka, Pogba, Fernandes, Williams; James (Lingard 63), Dzyuba, Rashford (Martial 63)

Manchester United bounced back from their Europa League nightmare with a win that takes them to within three points of the Champions League places against bottom side Sheffield United.

Lys Mousset grabbed a second half goal to make the final 25 minutes interesting for the Red Devils, but in truth the Blades never really looked like pulling level. Pogba’s early strike was added to by a Rashford penalty after the England man was pulled down in the box, and Chris Wilder’s men showed why they are looking at a swift return to the Championship with a distinct lack of creativity. On the other side of the dugout, Mark Wilson will be delighted with another league win as he attempts to salvage what looked like being a disappointing season.

Sheffield United 1-2 Manchester United

[EvilDave]

February 27^th
Europa League First Knockout Round Second Leg: VfL Wolfsburg (GER) vs Manchester United (ENG)

De Gea; Bailly, Maguire, Lindelof; Laird (Wan-Bissaka 59), Pogba, Mata (Fernandes 59), Williams; James (Lingard 70), Martial, Townsend

Wolfsburg faced a Manchester United onslaught in the second leg of their Europa League clash, but defended well to see off the challenge of Mark Wilson’s men.

With four away goals to their name, the hosts extended their lead against the run of play through Wout Wieghorst, but then faced constant attacks from the visitors. Andros Townsend fired in to level on the night and Paul Pogba struck a second-half winner, but United lacked both the creativity and composure required to undo the damage done on an awful night at Old Trafford a week ago. It means a premature end to a Europa League campaign that many would have expected to go all the way, and a time for Wilson to reflect on what went wrong. For Wolfsburg, their European journey continues to be a welcome distraction from their domestic struggles.

VfL Wolfsburg 1(5)-2(3) Manchester United

[EvilDave]

March 1^st

Arsenal have lifted the Carabao Cup after a 2-0 win over Leicester at Wembley. An early red card for Ben Chilwell made things incredibly difficult for the Foxes, and the Gunners capitalised with two goals for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The trophy is Mikel Arteta’s first League Cup success, and comes on the back of a difficult league campaign which sees the North London club struggling to catch up to the sides currently occupying the European places.

March 3^rd
FA Cup Fifth Round: Huddersfield Town (CH) vs Manchester United (PL)

Romero; Tuanzebe, Jones, Lindelof; Laird (Wan-Bissaka 60), McTominay (Fernandes 4), Mejbri, Shaw (Williams 60); Lingard, Greenwood (Dzyuba 97), Gomes

Manchester United faced an almighty scare against Championship leaders Huddersfield, but survived a penalty shoot-out to book their place in the last eight of the FA Cup.

After losing Scott McTominay after just four minutes to a knee injury – the Scot’s first game back after a previous spell on the sidelines – a rotated United got to work and took the lead on the stroke of half time through Angel Gomes'chipped finish. But in the second period the Terriers fought back and grabbed a deserved equaliser through Steve Mounie before having the best of extra time. With the tie to be settled on penalties it was Sergio Romero who proved the hero, saving from Mounie and Ben Marshall before watching Andy King’s effort sail over the crossbar. United’s youngsters fight on, and a difficult season may yet end in silverware for Mark Wilson and his side.

Huddersfield Town 1-1p Manchester United

[EvilDave]

March 6^th
Manchester United will play host to Chelsea in an FA Cup Quarter Final draw largely void of surprise faces. Promotion-chasing Leeds are the sole representatives from outside the top flight and face Manchester City at Elland Road, with the line-up completed by Liverpool vs Leicester and West Ham vs Everton.

March 7^th
Premier League 30/38: Manchester United (6^th) vs Tottenham Hotspur (3^rd)

Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof (Bailly 64), Kolarov; Pogba, Grealish (Mata 64), Fernandes; Lingard (Rashford 50), Dzyuba, Martial

Manchester United’s winning run in the Premier League came to a shuddering halt in a thrilling game against Tottenham.

Spurs came to Old Trafford looking to cling to the coattails of Manchester City in second place, and executed their counter-attacking gameplan to perfection in an end-to-end encounter. Son Heung-Min’s solo effort was cancelled out by Wan-Bissaka’s header after the break, but in a flowing and open final half hour it was the visitors who came out on top, Lucas Moura netting after Artem Dzyuba missed a golden opportunity at the other end, and then Gio Lo Celso rifling home on the break late on. Defeat all but guarantees Champions League football for Tottenham, while that dream is now a little harder for Mark Wilson’s side to realise.

Manchester United 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

[EvilDave]

March 14^th
Premier League 31/38: Liverpool (1^st) vs Manchester United (6^th)

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Bailly, Shaw (Williams 69); Pogba, Grealish, Fernandes; Townsend (Greenwood 50), Rashford (Dzyuba 66), Martial

Liverpool showed off their title credentials with a thumping win over arch-rivals Manchester United in awful conditions at Anfield.

In driving rain and swirling wind, Jurgen Klopp’s side completely outplayed their rivals, opening the scoring through Mo Salah on the half hour and then stretching their legs out to a 3-0 lead at the interval. Aaron Wan-Bissaka gave his side the faintest glimmer of hope with a powerful header, but moments later his fellow right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the goal of the game with a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner of David de Gea’s net, and the humiliation was complete for Mark Wilson’s side. Liverpool stay eight points clear at the top of the table, while United are left praying for a Champions League miracle.

Liverpool 4-1 Manchester United

[EvilDave]

March 21^st
FA Cup Quarter Final: Manchester United (PL) vs Chelsea (PL)

Romero; Wan-Bissaka (Lindelof 76), Jones, Bailly, Shaw; Mata, Pogba, Fernandes; James (Greenwood 76), Martial (Dzyuba 59), Rashford

Manchester United put in one of their best performances of the season to see off Chelsea and book their spot in the FA Cup Semi Final.

In a game which swung between both cagey and hectic, Mark Wilson got the better of Frank Lampard tactically to see his side edge through to Wembley. Luke Shaw was the unlikely hero, his shot deflecting beyond Kepa just before the interval for the goal that would prove to be the winner, but from Eric Bailly at the heart of defence to Dan James on the right of a front three, every man in red played their part perfectly. After a difficult year which has seen their Champions League hopes all but evaporate, the chance of silverware in the world’s most prestigious domestic cup may well be the fairytale ending that United fans need.

Manchester United 1-0 Chelsea

[EvilDave]

March 23^rd
A Manchester derby will determine one half of this year’s FA Cup finalists. United beat Chelsea while City overcame Leeds in the last eight to set up a mouth-watering clash at Wembley. Liverpool and West Ham will contest the other tie after defeating Leicester and Everton respectively, with all four sides dreaming of lifting the famous trophy at the end of the season.

March 28^th
Mark Wilson has spoken of his pride in having an English core to the Manchester United squad after both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jack Grealish made their international debuts in the 3-1 friendly defeat to Serbia, Grealish scoring England’s only goal of the game. With Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw also called up by Gareth Southgate, the Red Devils are certainly well represented among their nation’s finest.

April 4^th
Premier League 32/38: Manchester United (6^th) vs Southampton (18^th)

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Jones, Bailly (Maguire 33), Shaw; Mata, Pogba, Fernandes; James (Dzyuba 51), Martial, Rashford (Greenwood 51)

Manchester United’s Champions League hopes are all but over after a sorry excuse for a football match against relegation-threatened Southampton.

The goalless, lifeless draw sees Mark Wilson’s side slip to 14 points behind Chelsea in 4^th, and although they do have a game in hand, it is pure fantasy to see them making up that gap in just six games. Instead they will be looking over their shoulder at the pack chasing their Europa League berth – their 49 points is just one more than Leicester, Aston Villa and Brighton, with Arsenal a further point back having played a game less. While Wilson’s supporters will point to an FA Cup run which has taken them to Wembley, there can be little hiding the fact that this season can only be seen as a failure for club and manager, and one which could have further repercussions when it finally draws to an end.

Manchester United 0-0 Southampton

[EvilDave]

April 13^th
Premier League 33/38: West Ham United (14^th) vs Manchester United (9^th)

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Bailly (Lindelof 57), Kolarov; Grealish, Pogba, Fernandes; Townsend (Greenwood 57), Martial (Dzyuba 57), Rashford

Manchester United put in their worst performance of the season against a midtable West Ham side to put even their Europa League hopes in jeopardy at London Stadium.

With the game just 13 minutes old, Felipe Anderson caught Jack Grealish with an elbow at a corner and was immediately dismissed, reducing the hosts to 10 men. Despite the advantage, United lacked any form of urgency, the majority of their 23 shots coming from range or ending far from goal, and allowed the hosts to stay in the game. Five minutes after the break Andriy Yarmolenko finished when unmarked in the penalty area, and as United struggled to string two passes together, Pablo Fornals flashed a shot past De Gea to send the home fans wild. Pogba drove in a consolation with 20 minutes to play but even then United failed to rouse themselves for the finale in what was a truly dismal effort. With Arsenal, Brighton and Leicester all picking up points to move ahead of the Old Trafford side, the Premier League table looks for miserable reading for Mark Wilson and co.

West Ham United 2-1 Manchester United

[EvilDave]

April 16^th
Paul Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, has today announced that his client will be seeking a move away from Old Trafford after it became mathematically impossible for Manchester United to qualify for the Champions League. Pogba, who has courted controversy ever since his first spell at the club, is rumoured to be attracting the attentions of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid – expect this to be the summer transfer saga that keeps on running.

April 19^th
FA Cup Semi Final: Manchester United (PL) vs Manchester City (PL)

Romero; Wan-Bissaka (Williams 62), Tuanzebe (Bailly 78), Maguire, Kolarov; Mata, Pogba, Fernandes; Greenwood, Dzyuba, Martial (Rashford 53)

Manchester City turned on the style to book an FA Cup Final showdown between the Premier League’s top two as they overcame cross-town rivals United at Wembley.

Paul Pogba volleyed United ahead in the third minute as their rapid start took Pep Guardiola’s men by surprise, but once they had recovered the initiative it was one-way traffic in the national stadium. A Fernandinho header from a corner was the unlikely source of the equaliser, but the second and third goals from Odsonne Edouard and Raheem Sterling were textbook Guardiola goals, intricate exchanges of passes up the field finished with clinical precision. City vs Liverpool will no doubt be a superb spectacle for fans across the country, and for United this will be yet another sign of how far behind the country’s leading sides they have fallen. Mark Wilson has a lot of work to do.

Manchester United 1-3 Manchester City

[EvilDave]

April 25^th
Premier League 34/38: Manchester United (9^th) vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (5^th)

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Jones, Lindelof, Williams (Kolarov 65); Grealish, Pogba (Lingard 78), Fernandes; James (Greenwood 52), Rashford, Martial

Manchester United’s Premier League season continues to end in disappointment after Mark Wilson’s side were easily beaten by Wolves on home soil.

A goal in each half from Diego Jota was barely enough reward for an almost perfect Wolves performance, although they were helped significantly by another poor display from United. Only Jack Grealish and Brandon Williams came out of the game with any credit to their name after a miserable showing all round, and Wilson’s men face a real fight even to make Europa League football – this latest setback seeing them slip to 10^th in the standings. So far, the club’s owners have kept faith in their manager, but it would be a surprise to absolutely no-one if they decided to pull the trigger any day soon.

Manchester United 0-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

[mark wilson27]

Oh Dear...that's all I say

[EvilDave]

April 27^th
Manchester United’s terrible season continues as Paul Pogba has confirmed he will miss the upcoming Manchester derby through injury. Pogba, who is expected to leave the club is the summer, is rumoured to be one of a number of players deeply unhappy with manager Mark Wilson’s leadership, with two team meetings called following the 2-0 home defeat to Wolves. With Wilson holding on to his job for now, there could be major changes at Old Trafford over the summer.

A rare bright spark in a forgettable year has been the emergence of young left-back Brandon Williams, and United fans will hope his progress continues – the youngster has put pen to paper on a new five-year deal which sees him commit his future to the club.

May 2^nd
Premier League 35/38: Manchester City (2^nd) vs Manchester United (10^th)

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; McTominay (Fernandes 70), Grealish, Townsend (Mata 56); Greenwood, Rashford (Dzyuba 45), Martial

Manchester United may have endured a miserable season, but they may have dealt their fierce rivals a hammer blow in the title race with a hard-fought draw at the Etihad.

Despite a poor run of form, the absence of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes only being fit enough for the bench, Mark Wilson’s side dug deep to fight back from Bernardo Silva’s early strike and secure a point which, while meaningless for them, come be hugely significant in the title fight. City could have pulled level with Liverpool at the top of the table after the Merseyside club were beaten by Arsenal, but Artem Dzyuba’s headed equaliser leaves them two points behind with just two matches remaining. It may be a moral victory for United – although there will be plenty of fans equally upset at potentially handing Liverpool their first title in 30 years – but despite the draw, it is clear which of these two sides is better positioned to fight for titles, and they don’t play in red.

Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United

[EvilDave]

May 10^th
Premier League 36/38: Manchester United (10^th) vs Newcastle United (15^th)

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof (Jones 36), Maguire, Williams (Kolarov 50); Grealish, Pogba, Fernandes; Greenwood (Martial 62), Rashford, Dzyuba

A tale of two penalties played out at Old Trafford as Manchester United’s winless run continued against Newcastle.

Just five minutes after Miguel Almiron had fired the visitors into the lead, Artem Dzyuba was fouled in the area, allowing Rashford to level the match from the spot. Then in the second half, with United on top and leading through Fernandes, the Portuguese clipped the heels of Joelinton inside the box and Nabil Bentaleb beat De Gea from the spot to earn his side a share of the points. The draw extends United’s winless run in the league to seven games and leaves them needing to win their final two games and several results to go their way if they are reach any kind of European football – the question on everyone’s lips seems to be when, rather than if, Mark Wilson is given the boot.

Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United

[EvilDave]

May 13^th
Premier League 37/38: Arsenal (7^th) vs Manchester United (10^th)

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka (Bailly 82), Lindelof, Maguire, Williams; Grealish, Pogba, Fernandes (Mata 68); Greenwood, Rashford (Dzyuba 68), Martial

Two late goals handed Arsenal a much-deserved win against Manchester United, officially ending the Red Devils’ hopes of European football for next season.

The history books will look back at this game and see Xhaka and Aubameyang’s two goals in the final three minutes as perhaps a lucky victory, but with the bulk of possession and 35 attempts on goal it was the very least their dominance deserved. The game showed a contrast of fortunes for the two sides – while Arsenal have recovered from a poor start to secure Europa League football, reach the final of the same competition and lift the Carabao Cup, United sit 10^th in the Premier League with an FA Cup Semi Final appearance their season’s highlight. Not only are the styles of Mikel Arteta and Mark Wilson very different, it would appear their abilities are too.

Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United

[EvilDave]

May 17^th
Premier League 38/38: Norwich City (13^th) vs Manchester United (10^th)

De Gea; Bailly, Maguire, Lindelof; Wan-Bissaka, Pogba, Fernandes (Grealish 61), Williams (Kolarov 77); Greenwood (Mata 54), Martial, Rashford

Two first half goals secured Manchester United a final day win at Carrow Road, closing a disappointing season with an ultimately meaningless victory.

Paul Pogba and Brandon Williams were the men on the scoresheet against a Norwich side already sure of survival, with the three points bringing a seven match winless run to an end at the final opportunity. The result sees Mark Wilson’s men end on 54 points – 37 behind champions Liverpool, 19 adrift of the Champions League spots, and four short of even Europa League qualification. By any measure of success, the year has been a failure. In the unlikely event that Wilson remains in charge next season, it is clear he has a full-blown rebuild job on his hands – the problems at Old Trafford run very deep indeed.

Norwich City 0-2 Manchester United

[EvilDave]

May 23^rd
Liverpool have added the FA Cup to their Premier League title after defeating Manchester City – the side they beat to the league title on goal difference – on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Wembley. John Stones was the man denied by Alisson for the decisive spot-kick, handing Liverpool the domestic double.

A few miles away at Old Trafford, David de Gea and Phil Jones have been told that they are free to leave the club if their asking prices are met – De Gea after the side failed to qualify for the Champions League, and Jones after expressing his desire for a new challenge. With Mark Wilson somehow still in charge and a rumoured £170m transfer kitty before sales, it is clear that the club’s owners are anticipating a complete overhaul of the side.

May 27^th
Mikel Arteta won his second trophy in his first ever season in management after guiding Arsenal to the Europa League title, a 4-0 thrashing of Borussia Monchengladbach in Gdansk adding to the Carabao Cup trophy lifted earlier in the year. The Gunners overcame Celtic, Braga, Inter and Roma in the knockout rounds on their way to the final, and in lifting the trophy have booked their return to the Champions League next season.

May 30^th
Eden Hazard’s extra-time penalty denied Liverpool an historic treble as Real Madrid secured their 14^th Champions League title in Istanbul. The final proved to be a cagey affair with neither side wanting to lose, but Joel Matip pulled down Isco with just three minutes of the 120 remaining, and Hazard ended his first season in Madrid in perfect fashion to hand his side the trophy.

May 31^st
With domestic and European competition now at an end and Euro 2020 soon to begin, we look back on the 2019/20 Premier League season:

Winners: Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s men ended 30 years of hurt by coming out on top of a titanic battle with Manchester City, taking the title by virtue of their superior goal difference. The Reds netted 101 Premier League goals, with the front three of Salah, Mane and Firmino contributing 47 of them, as they regularly blew opponents away. With an FA Cup win and Champions League Final appearance to their name as well, Liverpool will be the team to beat next season.

Champions League qualifiers: Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Arsenal (Europa League winners)
While the battle for the Champions League looked to be close at one point, Chelsea wound up 11 points clear of Wolves in comfortable qualification. Arsenal’s Europa League win would have seen them miss out had Liverpool lifted the Champions League, but former star Eden Hazard did them a massive favour with his winning penalty. City will be disappointed to concede their title by such narrow margins but still broke 90 points, while Spurs will be pleased with an excellent 83-point season and Arsenal have plenty of reasons to be hopeful after picking up two trophies in Mikel Arteta’s first season at the helm.

Europa League qualifiers: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City
Wolves took the Champions League battle into the final third of the season but ultimately fell away to settle for Europa League action next season, while Leicester put in a late surge to claim continental football after a disappointing first half of the season. Many expected Manchester United to claim this as a consolation after a disappointing start to the year, but Mark Wilson’s side continued to struggle and were undoubtedly one of the league’s underachievers, finishing down in 9^th place.

Relegated: Watford, Southampton, Everton
Managers across the country will be on high alert after three sides tipped for midtable found themselves falling through the trapdoor into the Championship. Watford were perhaps predicted by most to struggle, however neither Southampton nor Everton featured in many pre-season predictions of failure, and will be devastated at their relegations. With the three sides picking up just 22 wins from a combined 114 games, there can be little denying that their demotions are deserved – Huddersfield, Fulham and play-off winners West Brom will be hoping they can do much better when they take their turn next season.