Terrace Talk - Man United: A queue of players in the departure lounge

It’s been a weekend for saying goodbye. Not only to the 2017/18 Premier League season — good riddance, on the whole — but also to some characters who’ve marked the competition’s last 15 years or so.

Arsène Wenger’s already been round the farewell lap two or three times these past weeks, of course. But there’s also Rui Faria, surprisingly announced as departing Old Trafford after nearly two crucial decades assisting at José’s side. Nothing sinister, we are assured; it may even be something to be welcomed, if it helps lead to a change in United’s style.

Then we have Michael Carrick, hanging up his Red shirt after often distinguished and always honourable service. And there’s also a thought for Wayne Rooney who one hopes, for his own dignity, would now take the curtain call and head off for a Stateside semi-retirement.