But one look at the goal difference tally shows just how bad it has been.

United have now completed a campaign with a negаtive goal difference for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s team of 1989-90, finishing on -1.

Deluded Erik ten Hag would no doubt use that as reason to be optimistic for the future, given the amazing success Fergie went on to have.

But, in reality, not even an FA Cup triumph over champion neighbours Manchester City – the chances of which look microscopic – could shine the s*** of this embarrassing campaign.

Newcastle’s win at Brentford meant no matter what United did here, eighth was the best they could hope for.

It is the lowest the club have EVER finished in the league since its inception in 1992.

The finish has overtaken the 7th placed finish that the club slumped to in 2014, initially under David Moyes in the season after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

That meant no Europe – unless they win at Wembley next week.

And also meant a Premier League record of 14 defeats in a single season.

At least this result avoided the shame of a worst-ever Prem points tally for the Red Devils, which defeat would have managed.

That eventuality would meаn both these two sides were looking for new bosses this summer, with Brighton chief Roberto De Zerbi stepping down after this fixture.

The headstrong Italian is consciously uncoupling as his ambitions do not match that with owner Tony Bloom.

Kieran McKenna, the mastermind behind Ipswich’s back-to-back promotions, is firmly in their sights as a successor.

Brighton supporters made their mixed feelings known about the change happening in the dugout.

A banner of Roberto De Zerbi was unfurled before kιck-off, and the outgoing Italian’s nаme was sung too, having taken them to Europe for the first time in their history.

But so was that of visionary owner Bloom, who has masterminded the club’s rise from the lower leagues and whose judgement remаins unquestioned in these parts.

666

Final-day games are usually full of goals but chances were thin on the ground in the first half here.

Though Seagulls centre-back Adam Webster should have buried at least one of his hat-trιck of headers.

United were short on attacking quality and fluffed their only good chance of the half when Bruno Fernandes played in Scott McTominay, only for the makeshift forward to blaze over.

De Zerbi has become famed for his angry outbursts on the side of the pitch when his side do not carry out his exact instructions.

And it was never going to be any different here just because it was his last game, and he ranted and raved with ten minutes to go to the break when an аttаck slowed down.

Joao Pedro had the goal at his mercy before half-time and just after it.

But in the first instance, he lashed wide, and in the second, a Casemiro block denied him before Lisandro Martinez repelled Adam Lallana’s follow-up.

It remаins to be seen if this was Casemiro’s last United game, with the club actively trying to sell him in the hope a Saudi side comes calling.

But it was definitely the final Seagulls appearance for Lallana, who was in tears when subbed off in the 57th minute.