Manchester United return to Premier League action this lunchtime when they host Nottingham Forest. The Reds know avoiding defeat will confirm a third place finish this season. That would be another green tick next to Michael Carrick’s resume as he closes in on the permanent job.

United fans will be delighted to hear that Casemiro is fit to start against Forest. The midfielder missed the trip to Sunderland last weekend but Carrick confirmed he will be available to feature in his last Old Trafford game for the Reds. Benjamin Sesko is a major doubt after picking up an injury against Liverpool.

Matthijs de Ligt will be out until the start of 2026/27 season after United confirmed he had undergone surgery on a back injury. MEN Sport has asked our United writers to pick their teams for today’s game.

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Tyrone Marshall

Carrick made five changes last week and there could be rotation again on the final day, but I would go strong for the final game at Old Trafford and I imagine Carrick will.

Diogo Dalot can come back in at right-back, he was missed last week in build-up play, but the rest of the defence is unchanged. Shaw deserves to get all 38 Premier League starts this season.

Casemiro is fit and will return for his Old Trafford farewell alongside Kobbie Mainoo, who will miss the Brazilian’s influence. Bruno Fernandes will obviously start and be desperate for that assist.

Joshua Zirkzee can come out of the team after his performance last week. That means Amad on the right, Matheus Cunha on the left and Bryan Mbeumo through the middle.

Steven Railston

I’d pick the strongest team possible for the final home game of the season. Most of the young players who I’d give minutes to were also in action for the U21s on Saturday night.

The final game of the season against Brighton will be an opportunity for academy players to get minutes.

Approaching the game with that stance, the team pretty much picks itself, although I’d play Amad down the middle as a false nine, a role that he excelled in during his successful loan stint with Sunderland.

Jack Flintham

After such a good turnaround under Carrick, United need to finish the season at Old Trafford on a high. The Reds should be playing their strongest team available for this one.

United could opt for Mason Mount on the left flank. It’s an unfamiliar position but the Reds need to find where he fits into this team. This would also allow Cunha to play centre-forward.

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Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva made his final Wembley appearance for the Blues as they beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final

Bernardo Silva has expressed his gratitude to Pep Guardiola after Manchester City beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. The captain was playing his final match at the national stadium for City and he helped his side to a tight win.

Antoine Semenyo scored the only goal of the game in the second half as his clever flick found Robert Sanchez’s bottom corner. After the game, Bernardo lifted the trophy alongside John Stones. Both men will be leaving the club at the end of the season when their contracts expire.

For Bernardo, this was his 18th major trophy with the Blues. Speaking to BBC Sport, the captain paid tribute to his manager. “He changed the way I see football. 80 per cent of my career was with him as my manager,” Bernardo said. “All the things I hoped to achieve were with him.

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“The relationship we have got is very strong with the frustrations and the achievements.” When asked if Guardiola could be leaving the club, Bernardo said: “I care a lot about Man City. That’s his decision. It is not for me to comment on that. I wish all the best. I enjoy being with him having shared all these moments together.”

Reflecting on the achievement of winning the FA Cup, Bernardo added: “The FA Cup is a really, really special competition. To win it means so much to all the players, management and staff. After nine years at the club, I know how much this trophy means to our fans.

“They have to come to Wembley so often, which we know isn’t easy for them, but they are always behind us. It makes days like this even better knowing they are with us.

“Being able to lift another trophy at Wembley, where we have played so many times, is such a special feeling – one I never take for granted. To do so as captain makes this one of the best days of my career.

“Having already won the League Cup this year, this young team have now got a taste for trophies. I feel sure they will go on and win many more titles in the years to come.”

INQUIRER FILES

It’s not easy to be recognized as national volleyball champions in a country that is focused on big-name tournaments.

Imagine if you’re not even 16 yet.

But the girls of University of Santo Tomas can lay claim to that tag after bagging the inaugural National Grassroots Volleyball League (NGVL) crown with a commanding sweep of Immaculate Conception Academy of Dasmariñas, Cavite, 25-7, 28-26, 25-9, in the championship match at Filoil Centre recently.

Tournament MVP Taj Arkhea Teves finished with 22 points on 19 kills and three aces to spearhead UST’s attack while opposite hitter Khurztein Margareth Asumbra added 14 kills for 14 points.

After a lackluster first set, ICA-Dasmariñas almost found its groove in the following set, a day after pulling the rug under De La Salle-Zobel in their semifinal match.

Apple Laine Saquilayan carried the load for the Cavite side with eight points, but a series of errors late in the second set allowed UST to escape unscathed.

Despite the defeat, ICA still looked like a winner.

In fact, everyone did.

With a lot of volleyball attention drawn by the professional PVL and the bright lights of the UAAP and NCAA, it’s hard for young teenagers to have their share of the spotlight.

The NGVL, however, made sure to shine a light on the country’s young talents, and it is catching the eye of observers, who see it as a perfect stage for grassroots development.

“This is a great platform for young kids to be exposed at an early age,” said veteran coach Ryan Revita.

Revita kept an eye on the NGVL’s inaugural year, watching as young talents from far provinces eagerly showed off their talents on a national stage.

“This way will really elevate volleyball in the Philippines,” Revita added.

La Salle Zobel claimed the bronze medal with a hard-fought 19-25, 25-23, 26-24, 26-24 victory over Bacolod Tay Tung Thunderbolts.

Kylie Rianzhel Celada provided the difference, with 25 kills and four aces for 29 total points. Opposite hitter Zeianne Laborte added 17 kills for 19 points, and Best Middle Blocker awardee Ma. Alyana Dominique Valdez anchored the net with four blocks and nine points.

For the Thunderbolts, Marie Cacho finished with 15 points, while Samantha Canete and Memielle Letran added 12 and 10 respectively.

UST swept three of six individual awards—Teves taking Best Outside Hitter, Asumbra earning Best Opposite Hitter and Sab Katigbak Ambrocio named Best Setter.

La Salle Zobel’s Valdez earned Best Middle Blocker, and Bacolod Tay Tung’s Luchi Vivero walked away with Best Libero.

NGVL president Yvette Katigbak-Ambrocio had the satisfaction of watching the league fulfill its mission.

“We’d like them to be able to dream big as early as now, be able to showcase what they have and hone their skills,” she said. “And in the process make new friends.”

Manchester City beat Chelsea to win the FA Cup at Wembley on Saturday but attention will quickly shift to Bournemouth and the Premier League title race with Arsenal

Marc Guehi had the honour of carrying the FA Cup onto the Manchester City team bus. That felt fitting after the defender had been forced to sit out the Carabao Cup final due to a bizarre rule cup-tying him.

The centre back spoke in the build-up to the weekend Wembley win over Chelsea about taking a back seat and learning about the mentality required to succeed in this squad. Guehi now has his first piece of City silverware.

When the Blues won the Carabao Cup against Arsenal the squad left in buoyant and celebratory mood, the upcoming international break affording the players a few days off. This time the mood was all business. There were smiles but the focus has already turned to Tuesday’s Premier League trip to Bournemouth.

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A City staff member was carrying a box of Asahi Super Dry alcohol-free beer, one of the club’s sponsors. Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden and Rodri were the City stars to stop and speak to reporters and all three know that Bournemouth are next. The celebrations will have to be put on ice.

But that didn’t stop the Blues soaking up the success with supporters on the Wembley turf, with departing duo John Stones and Bernardo Silva to the fore.

The pair toyed with the jubilant City fans as they waited to lift the cup. The two modern-day greats looked ecstatic and emotional as they stood in the Royal Box and thrust the famous old trophy into the sky.

Tijjani Reijnders was the man in possession of the trophy as City came down the famous steps and back onto the pitch, joined by Rodri to show off the silverware to a City end that was packed to the rafters.

The players gathered for the traditional photos and celebrations as silver streamers and flames shot into the air. The squad and the staff were then all called together. Rodri led the celebrations as Just the Way You Are by Milky blasted out. That has become the soundtrack of the season for City. Joy Division followed, Phil Foden aloft on Gianluigi Donnarumma’s shoulders.

The City faithful belted out ‘Johnny, Johnny Stones’ and the defender was then thrust forward with the cup. He spoke of City having given him everything in his statement when he announced his departure, he’s got one more medal for the collection. As has Bernardo Silva, who followed him to the West End swinging the silverware in the capital air with a smile as wide as the Thames.

Then came the manager, pushed forward by his players to take the acclaim from a fanbase who adore him.

It was a 20th trophy for Guardiola at City. The magic doesn’t wear off.

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