Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta, who has not played since November because of injury, could be fit for the FA Cup final against Aston Villa on Saturday, manager Arsene Wenger said.
"He is a possibility because he is back in full training," Wenger told reporters.
French right-back Mathieu Debuchy also has a chance to make the squad, Wenger said, but England international striker Danny Welbeck will not be ready.
Wenger was given a selection dilemma after Arsenal's final Premier League game of the season on Sunday, when Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere, neither of whom have been playing regularly, were both outstanding in the 4-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.
Walcott, who was out for 10 months until last November, scored three times in little more than half an hour while playing as a striker instead of his normal position on the wing.
"I just want to play football," he told the Arsenal Player video service, "and getting a hat-trick on the last day of the season after having limited opportunities, it was just nice to go out there to show what I can do."
Walcott and his representatives are in talks with the club over a new contract. Wenger said after Sunday's game, "we want him to stay".
Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he is open to leaving Liverpool if he is asked to step down after the Reds' were thrashed 6-1 by Stoke City in the final game of the season.
The Northern Irishman is confident that he will be at Anfield next season, despite failing to meet the targets set by Fenway Sports Group back in August. The Merseyside club finished the season on sixth spot and managed just eight points in their last nine matches.
Liverpool's fixture against Mark Hughes also marked Steven Gerrard's final game in the Reds' shirt. The latest result was their heaviest defeat in the last 52 years and Rodgers took complete responsibility after his side's disappointing performance.
"The supporters deserve an apology for that. We were too easily beaten. We have to be better than that," Rodgers said.
"The supporters have every right to be angry. We can have no complaints all of us. That was awful first half. I take full responsibility as manager. There is an awful lot of work to do. We finished sixth and that is where we deserve to finish."
"If the owners want me to go, I go. it is as simple as that. But i still feel I have a lot to offer here. Performances like today don't help you. I want to be here. There are a number of key elements of the performance that didnt surprise me. We will address those in the summer," he added.
The former Swansea manager's future at Liverpool remains uncertain. The Evening Standard reported that Rodgers is set to hold talks with FSG's representative Mike Gordon and his future will be dealt with during the meeting.
Jurgen Klopp is favourite to replace Rodgers if he is shown the exit door after a disappointing campaign. Klopp had earlier confirmed his decision to leave Borussia Dortmund after their poor run in the league.
Meanwhile, former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has claimed that Jurgen Klopp wants to manage in England.
"There are several indications that suggest he will coach in England at some stage. There's speculation about it in England and it would make sense also for him to go to England," Ballack said.
"He coached one of the best clubs in Germany, he's an open coach who enjoys international acclaim for his successes and the way he coaches. And he speaks English," the former Germany midfielder said.
Captain Michael Dawson cannot hide his disappointment as Hull's relegation from the Premier League is confirmed.(Getty Images)
Hull City have been relegated from the Premier League following a goalless draw with Manchester United at the KC Stadium.
Heading into the last match of the 2014/15 campaign two points adrift of 18th-place Newcastle following a run of three consecutive defeats, Steve Bruce's side needed to claim all three points at the KC Stadium and hope that West Ham could prevent their rivals from doing the same in the North East.
Former Manchester United centre-back Bruce had never previously won a competitive fixture against his former club in a managerial career spanning 17 years, but that record could easily have been ended as goalkeeper Victor Valdes, making his first start in the Premier League with in-demand number one David de Gea ruled out with a hamstring problem, produced a series of fine saves to keep Hull at bay.
Both Paul McShane and Dame N'Doye had goals chalked off for offside before the break and not even a late red card issued to Manchester United substitute Marouane Fellaini for a dangerous tackle on the Irish international could break the visitors' stern resistance.
As it happened, even a win for Hull would not have been enough to avoid a first return to the Championship since 2013 as Newcastle edged ahead at St James' Park courtesy of an emphatic header from Moussa Sissoko before Argentine Jonas Gutierrez, diagnosed with testicular cancer last year, sent tense home supporters into raptures with a decisive second five minutes from time.
"It's one of these awful, awful experiences, but it's football and there's plenty of highs and lows," Bruce, who lamented Hull's lack of firepower this season, remarked after the full-time whistle.
"We had umpteen chances today and were not able to convert them. We can have excuses but, we've not been good enough."
Elsewhere on an eventful final day, Liverpool left contract rebel Raheem Sterling on the substitutes bench and were subsequently humiliated 6-1 by Stoke at the Britannia Stadium to end a very bad week indeed for Brendan Rodgers.
Steven Gerrard did at least find the net in his last match before a summer switch to the Los Angeles Galaxy but it was not enough to avoid a devastating result that his under-pressure manager dubbed "embarrassing" and saw Liverpool finish sixth behind automatic Europa League qualifiers Tottenham.
Didier Drogba was carried from the pitch by his teammates in the first half of Chelsea's 3-1 win over Sunderland following a knee injury before returning to take centre stage during the ensuing title celebrations.
The 37-year-old, handed the captain's armband by John Terry, confirmed before kick-off that he would be leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer in order to play more regularly next season but at least finished his second stint with a positive result as replacement Diego Costa cancelled out Steven Fletcher's early opener from the penalty spot before fellow substitute Loic Remy added a brace.
Theo Walcott netted a 33-minute hat-trick as Arsenal prepared for next week's FA Cup final with a comfortable 4-1 win over West Brom, Frank Lampard scored what will likely be his final ever top-flight goal as Manchester City saw off Southampton 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium and Marouane Chamakh's strike was enough for Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace to beat Swansea and finish 10th.
Danny Ings' 11th goal of the campaign secured a slender victory for relegated Burnley at Aston Villa, meanwhile, and woeful QPR were consigned to the foot of the table following a 5-1 thumping by in-form Leicester.
In the race for the Golden Boot, the top four candidates in Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane, Diego Costa and Charlie Austin all notched one final goal but the City striker took the honours after finishing five clear of his closest rival on 26.
He called for an end to underfire manager Brendan Rodgers' tenure, whilst suggesting the club need to bring in either Jurgen Klopp or Joachim Loew as a replacement to restore the glory days on Mereseyside.
Hull City were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday after drawing 0-0 at home to Manchester United on a final day of the season marked by high-profile departures.
Hull, beaten FA Cup finalists last season, needed to beat United to stand any chance of staying up, but their failure to do so left them three points adrift of safety.
Newcastle United were the only other team at risk of relegation, but they secured their top-flight status with a 2-0 victory at home to West Ham United.
Jonas Gutierrez, who returned to action last month after a 17-month battle with testicular cancer, was Newcastle's saviour, teeing up Moussa Sissoko for a 54th-minute header and scoring with a deflected effort.
At Hull, Manchester United were without on-loan striker Radamel Falcao and injured goalkeeper David de Gea, heavily linked with Real Madrid, meaning both may have played their final games for the club.
The hosts made an enterprising start and saw Paul McShane and Dame N'Doye have goals ruled out for offside, while United goalkeeper Victor Valdes saved brilliantly from Ahmed Elmohamady.
The visitors lost Angel di Maria to injury and saw substitute Marouane Fellaini sent off for an ugly foul on McShane.
But home manager Steve Bruce, the former United captain, was unable to engineer a first managerial win over his old employers as Hull sank into the Championship.
Steven Gerrard scored in vain on a wretched final appearance for Liverpool as Brendan Rodgers's side sank to a humiliating 6-1 defeat at Stoke City.
With Raheem Sterling benched over his contract stand-off with the club, Liverpool conceded five first-half goals, with Mame Biram Diouf scoring twice and Jonathan Walters, Charlie Adam and Steven Nzonzi also on target.
Gerrard replied in the second half, to give the visiting fans one last goal before his departure for the Los Angeles Galaxy, but ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch restored Stoke's five-goal cushion late on.
LAMPARD, DROGBA SIGN OFF
Liverpool nevertheless qualified for the Europa League alongside Tottenham Hotspur, who won 1-0 at Everton courtesy of Harry Kane's 21st goal of the league campaign and 31st in all competitions.
Gerrard's former England teammate Frank Lampard also found the net in his final game before leaving England for the United States, but he scored in a winning cause as Manchester City beat Southampton 2-0.
The 36-year-old midfielder, who is due to join New York City, converted a cross from James Milner in the first half at the Etihad Stadium, with Sergio Aguero scoring his 26th goal of the campaign in the 88th minute.
City's win condemned Southampton to seventh place, which will yield a Europa League spot if Arsenal beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Another departing Premier League stalwart, Didier Drogba, was carried off the pitch by his teammates after injuring himself in the early stages of Chelsea's 3-1 win at home to Sunderland.
At that point, the champions trailed to a 26th-minute Steven Fletcher header, but after Diego Costa, Drogba's replacement, equalised with a penalty, Loic Remy scored twice in the second half.
Arsenal rubber-stamped third place by demolishing West Bromwich Albion 4-1 as Theo Walcott staked a strong claimed for a cup final place with a first-half hat-trick.
The England forward, whose season has been disturbed by injuries, scored three times in 33 minutes, with Jack Wilshere also on target. Gareth McAuley replied for West Brom.
Villa will go into the cup final on the back of a defeat after a first-half Danny Ings header saw them beaten 1-0 at relegated Burnley.
Leicester City celebrated their stunning escape from relegation with a 5-1 romp at home to relegated Queens Park Rangers, who finished the season bottom of the table.
In the day's other game, Crystal Palace beat Swansea City 1-0 courtesy of a 57th-minute goal by Marouane Chamakh.
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How the bottom seven stand
64 min
N'Doye goes down pathetically in the box, and referee Lee Probert's not interested. N'Doye then squirms a shot agonisingly wide of Valdes' post.
63 min
A smattering of ill-informed cheers from some Hull fans - suggesting some positive developments elswhere - but they're not fooling me: I have the internet. It's still 1-0 at St James' Park.
62 min
More flapping from Valdes, as Hull pile bodies into the area for a corner. It was Blind on the line who finally cleared the danger. Rooney, meanwhile, is lying injured after getting caught in the set-piece melee.
60 min
Herrera scuffs a right-foot shot just wide of the post. Hull fans seem resigned to their fate, but a goal for the hosts might just change that.
58 min
Wayne Rooney narrowly fails to get on the end of a Juan Mata pass, as Maraoune Fellaini prepares to enter the fray in place of Ashley Young.
56 min
More football, fewer close-ups of Hull City fans please, Sky Sports. Daley Blind goes into the book for preventing a quick free-kick.
54 min
GOAL AT NEWCASTLE! That could be curtains for Steve Bruce and Hull - Sissoko has put Newcastle into the lead at St James' Park. A hush descends on the KC Stadium.
53 min
Newcastle have missed a sitter against West Ham. Hull remain on the precipice.
50 min
Juan Mata fells Tom Huddlestone just on the edge of the box on the left-hand side. Huddlestone tries to drive the free-kick low, but it's belted away.
48 min
CHANCES! A stray pass allow United forward and Michael Dawson is forced into a heroic block to deny Herrera. Sloppy from Hull. Seconds later, David Meyler volleys a presentable chance high and wide.
46 min
Survival Sunday™ resumes. No changes for either side.
Half time
A decent 45 minutes from Hull but, obviously, they need a goal. They've had the ball in the United net twice, though, only to be thwarted by the offside flag of Darren Can:
45 min +1
Two minutes of added time. Ashley Young clips a pass into the Hull box, upon which Herrera tries to pounce, but he pokes the ball wide of a spreadeagled Steve Harper's goal.
43 min
Another deep Brady cross, which Valdes this time claims well under pressure at the back post.
40 min
Marcos Rojo ventures forward, and his left foot drive is deflected up into the air, but safely into the hands of Harper.
38 min
Goals flying in everywhere, I can tantalisingly reveal, but none of them in the two games that matter at the bottom. Wayne Rooney has a little kick at Robbie Brady, who gets straight back up with a grin.
35 min
Two promising openings for Hull - first, Dame N'Doye almost sets David Meyler through, but Daley Blind nudges him out of the way. Next, N'Doye evades Herrera with a wonderful flick, but his through-ball to Jelavic is rushed.
33 min
This chap has all the latest, thanks to the world's biggest headphones.
29 min
Juan Mata has shown the most adventure out of all the visitors thus far, but Hull's work rate is keeping even him at bay.
26 min
N'Doye is halted by the offside flag again, as Hull continue to press forward. Very little coming the other way from United. Di Maria's durability summed up, meanwhile:
7 - Angel Di Maria completed 90 minutes in the Premier League only seven times this season. Fleeting.
Nikica Jelavic is now in some pain, as he clutches an ankle. He'll soldier on.
23 min
Di Maria, who was been struggling since that collision with Elmohamady, is coming off. Januzaj replaces the Argentine, whose debut Premier League season finishes in low-key fashion.
20 min
ANOTHER GOAL DISALLOWED! N'Doye deflects in a driven cross but, again, the assistant's flag is correctly raised. A riproaring two-and-a-half minutes or so.
19 min
SAVE! Valdes atones for his error with a superb save to keep out Elmohamady's header to the bottom corner!
18 min
GOAL DISALLOWED! Hull win a free-kick, wide on the right, which Brady swings in. It should be straight down Valdes' throat, but he drops it and the ball squirms through to McShane, who SCORES...but he's offside.
17 min
There's an awkward header from Phil Jones. Yep.
16 min
Victor Valdes - impossibly comfortable on the ball, even for a modern goalkeeper - is seeing most of the ball for United so far. Pinging the ball about on a sunny day in Kingston-upon-Hull: there must be worse jobs.
13 min
Hull midfielders swarm round any United player in possession, but the hosts are in danger of running out of steam at this rate. They are, for want of a better phrase, pumped.
10 min
Huddlestone shaped to shoot, but instead fed Brady on the left, but Hull couldn't squeeze in a shot and settle for a corner. Captain Michael Dawson rises highest, but his header is way off target. Hull have started very brightly indeed.
9 min
James Chester beats Rooney to a high ball, and continues forward - juggling the ball as he goes - eventually earning Hull a free-kick, 30 yards out. Great spirit so far.
7 min
Di Maria and Elmohamady come together in painful-looking fashion on the halfway line and both receiving treatment. Injury-time always significant in the final-day pantomime.
6 min
The visitors are showing about half the urgency of the relegation-threatened hosts. Hull threaten again, as Jelavic races onto a lofted Huddlestone pass, but the angle is tight and his attemped lob over Valdes has little chance of going in.
3 min
CROSSBAR! United's turn to attack. Rooney receives the ball, 22 yards out, and swipes a right-foot shot onto the top of the Hull crossbar. Steve Harper, in fairness, had the measure of it.
2 min
CHANCE! Hull'sRobbie Brady swings in a beautiful cross from the left, which is met by Dame N'Doye, but his header is scooped up by Valdes on the line.
1 min
United - all in white - get the game underway. Hull, as it stands, are relegated for having bright blue rugby league pitch markings.
14.59
"Kick-off, now just moments away!" says Sky's Alan Parry, whose permanent state of semi-panic is perfect for a day like this...
14.51
Not long until kick-off at the KC Stadium. With the urgent need for updates from elsewhere, sales of these bad boys are reportedly at their annual peak (although I hear smartphones are the next big thing):
14.46
Newcastle have brought out the big guns at St James' Park - Mike Ashley has finally broken his media silence on Sky Sports to pledge his future (and his fortune) to "winning something" with the club. Not sure how Hull can match that before kick-off.
14.26
Will Steve Bruce give us a song, should Hull make the great escape?
If that's just too Phil Browny, perhaps some celebratory bumps from his playing staff. They'll have earned their bonuses then, certainly.
14.21
Van Gaal himself has had a mixed debut season at Old Trafford. The stats, at least, suggest that progress from the disastrous David Moyes reign has been minimal:
How Van Gaal and Moyes compare
Man Utd
David Moyes
Louis van Gaal
Games played
34
37
Ave Goals per game
1.65
1.68
% Shots on Target
46.8%
49.2%
% Goals to Shots
16.3%
17.0%
Overall Pass Completion %
83.6%
85.2%
Pass completion in final third %
72.5%
74.5%
% Passes in final third
31.2%
29.4%
% Passes Long
12.1%
13.8%
Cross Completion %
20.9%
22.7%
Ave goals conceded per game
1.18
1.00
Tackles won %
74.5%
74.0%
Blocks, clearances & interceptions
1925
1838
14.16
Two notable omissions from the Manchester United squad, meanwhile, including the hapless - and surely Monte Carlo-bound - Radamel Falcao. Our man Mark Ogden reports that the Colombian has no future at Old Trafford:
"...with Falcao playing in more than half of United's games this season, Van Gaal has been left unconvinced by his ability to succeed in the Premier League and he informed the player of his failure to earn an extended stay ahead of Sunday's trip to East Yorkshire."
14.12
If you're from Hull, and you just can't face reality, here's our FIFA '15simulation of today's potential events:
14.05
Amid ominous orchestral strings and extra-ominous Sky Sports presenter voices, here are the lineups:
Good afternoon, and welcome to Survival Sunday™. The situation, for Steve Bruce and Hull City, is simple:
Hull have to beat Manchester United - and hope that Newcastle do not beat West Ham - to avoid relegation to the Championship.
11.45
Hello and welcome to the final day of the Premier League season.
As one final treat we have Hull City v Manchester United for you. If that doesn't get you excited then literally nothing will. Literally. Nothing.
Adam Hurrey will be here from around 2pm with all the pre-match build-up and team news.
PREVIEW
Andy Cole thinks Manchester United should target a top-four finish next season because he believes the title is probably beyond them.
United head to Hull on Sunday for the final game of the Premier League campaign having already secured their target of Champions League qualification.
Although they trail champions Chelsea by 15 points, manager Louis van Gaal claimed during his bizarre and entertaining speech at the club's awards night this week that United were "very close" to Jose Mourinho's men. But Cole disagrees.
The former striker, who won the Premier League five times with United, believes the Red Devils have fallen behind their rivals after two trophy-less years, and therefore reckons the club needs to temper their expectations.
"The aim should be the same again - to finish in the Champions League," Cole said.
Premier League top seven
"To win the Premier League next year would be very, very tough.
"Chelsea have been the best team. In the first half of the season they played very well and in the second half they ground results out. How many teams can do what Chelsea do? There are going to be the team to beat next season.
"Arsenal will be there if they buy a couple of players. If you miss out for two years it gets harder and harder. It will be tough for Manchester United to win the Premier League next year."
United hit form in the spring, beating Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham in quick succession, but ultimately their poor start cost them.
Despite enjoying a near-perfect pre-season campaign - and indulging in a £150million spending spree, Van Gaal lost his opening game to Swansea and ended up winning just three of his first 10 matches.
United have had to grind out several results and many of their new buys have not lived up to their star billing.
Cole thinks some United supporters have been left underwhelmed by some performances and is somewhat disappointed to have seen the team score just 62 goals in 37 matches.
"It has been another strange season," Cole said.
"The way Manchester United play is totally different to when Sir Alex Ferguson was here. They play a different way. And I just think it's a case of getting used to the system, and play the way we used to play.
"The fans are looking to always have galvanising, attacking, free-flowing football with lots of goals and when they don't get that then they are disappointed because that is what they have been brought up on.
"It has been an up and down season again, but we are in the top four."
How Manchester United's season unfolded
Record crowds in the US
August 2, 2014
United fans hope this is a sign of times to come. Both they and Real Madrid field strong teams in this exhibition match at Soldier Field, Chicago, and United impress with a 3-1 victory in front of a crowd of 109,318. Ashley Young scores a brace while Javier Hernandez nets against the team he will join on loan the following month.
Wayne Rooney made captain
August 12, 2014
Van Gaal entrusts star man Wayne Rooney with the club captaincy, with Darren Fletcher named as vice-captain. The decision is a successful one, with Rooney hitting good form.
False start for Van Gaal
August 16, 2014
Despite an undefeated pre-season, Van Gaal’s competitive debut at Manchester United ends in defeat. Gylfi Sigurdsson gives Swansea all three points, in an entertaining game where both Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard were handed full debuts.
Angel wings in
August 26, 2014
The United hierarchy are keen to back Van Gaal, and Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rojo are all signed for large sums, before Angel Di Maria joins for an English transfer record of nearly £60 million. They are soon joined by Daley Blind, for £14 million.
Humiliated by MK Dons
August 26, 2014
The lowest point of Van Gaal’s fledgling United career. He fields a young side against League One side MK Dons, but even so would not have been prepared to watch his team succumb to a humiliating 4-0 defeat.
Welbeck says goodbye
September 1, 2014
Welbeck, who started in the game against MK, is soon sold to Arsenal. Van Gaal deems the forward “not good enough” for his starting XI, and has no hesitation in selling a player who had been a part of the club since 8 years old.
Rangers put to the sword
September 14, 2014
United finally return to winning ways with a comprehensive 4-0 win against lowly QPR. New signings Di Maria and Herrera both find the net, whilst loanee Radamel Falcao makes his first appearance for the Red Devils.
Hit for five by... Leicester?
September 21, 2014
Manchester United throw away a two-goal lead on the road to Leicester, for their second league defeat in five games. They concede four second half goals in a performance which leaves them 12th in the league.
Derby disappointment
November 2, 2014
The already daunting challenge of winning at the Etihad Stadium is made even more difficult for United when Chris Smalling is sent off for two yellow cards in the first half. Marcus Rojo is stretchered off with a shoulder injury as Sergio Aguero gives City a 1-0 victory.
Liverpool swatted aside
December 14, 2014
United recover after the City defeat and go on to win six in six throughout November and December. The highlight is a comfortable 3-0 victory over rivals Liverpool which lifts them to third in the league.
Humbled by Cambridge
January 23, 2015
Van Gaal’s uninspiring cup form continues as his expensively assembled side fail to break down a dogged Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round. They eventually see them off 3-0 in an Old Trafford replay.
Hitting back at Big Sam
February 10, 2015
Daley Blind hits late to snatch United a point at Upton Park. Van Gaal reacts furiously to Allardyce’s post-match claim that his United are a ‘long ball team’, by producing a series of detailed graphs and statistics in his press conference.
Doubled by Swansea
February 21, 2015
Swansea become the first team to complete a 2014/15 double over United, when they once again win 2-1. Manchester United drop to fourth as Arsenal move up to third.
Di Maria's Cup KO
March 9, 2015
Much is made of Arsenal’s poor record at Old Trafford, but they progress to the FA Cup semi-finals at United’s expense. Danny Welbeck hits the winning goal before Di Maria is sent off for tugging at referee Michael Oliver’s shirt, on a miserable night for the Old Trafford faithful.
Revenge on Manchester City
April 12, 2015
United move four points above their city rivals, after recovering from a Sergio Aguero opener to stroll home 4-2 winners. Young, Fellaini, Mata and Smalling all get their names on the scoresheet in a win which means United are only two points behind second-placed Arsenal.
Crushed at Everton
April 26, 2015
Against a resurgent Everton, United lose consecutive league games for the first time under the stewardship of Van Gaal. In the following match they are beaten for a third time, to West Brom, and hopes of a finish above City are dashed.
Depay swoop confirmed
May 13, 2015
Highly-rated Dutch winger Memphis Depay - and his dog - elect to join United ahead of teams such as Liverpool and PSG, in a £25million switch from PSV. He finishes his last season in the Eredivisie as the competition’s top scorer with 22 goals.
Doubts over De Gea
May 18, 2015
With Iker Casillas struggling for form at Real Madrid, rumours grow that goalkeeper David De Gea is angling for a summer switch to the European champions. Van Gaal concedes that the player’s situation in England is “difficult”.
Oh what a night...
May 19, 2015
Manager Van Gaal ensures that he is the centre of attention at the club’s end-of-season awards ceremony, playfully clipping Ryan Giggs around the ear before taking to the stage to invite applause for the “lady saxophonist”.
