Record-breaking David De Gea became the first Manchester United player to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for three years in a row when he triumphed again on Monday night.
The goalkeeper collected the prize at the club’s annual awards ceremony at Old Trafford, which was broadcast on MUTV. Chris Smalling was named Players’ Player of the Year, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson won the Under-21s honour and Marcus Rashford was awarded the Under-18s award. Anthony Martial’s debut strike against Liverpool was the goal of the season.
De Gea’s award was decided by a fans’ vote, which led to him earning the accolade ahead of other consistently impressive performers such as Martial, Smalling and Daley Blind.
The United goalkeeper said: “It’s difficult to say something. To win three years in a row is amazing. I’m really happy. It’s an honour and I want to say thank you to everyone. I think we have some of the best fans in the world.”
Former players Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo had all won the prize in back-to-back years but De Gea has now gone one better.
United manager Louis van Gaal said: “Everyone knows he was invited to Madrid. His girlfriend is living in Madrid; his parents, Spanish. Real Madrid is a great club, but he is still here and, as a manager, I am so happy he is here and he deserves to win this title.”
Speaking about the Spanish goalkeeper, midfielder Juan Mata said: “For me, he is the most consistent player. He is always saving points for us.”
Before the ceremony, captain Wayne Rooney had paid tribute to the central defenders’ efforts this season, but revealed that he voted for Daley Blind as Player of the Year.
Rooney said: “For me personally, Daley and Chris have been brilliant for us. I went with Chris last year so it’s Daley this year.”
Former United greats including Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Law were there to witness the prize-giving.
Meanwhile Van Gaal addressed his situation with the club, saying he believed that being portrayed as a “nobody” could be having an effect on the way his players respond to him.
Van Gaal said: “I’m a coach, a manager, who would rather have some authority but every day the players can read it — what do you think about my authority as well? What do you think about the way they want to follow my advice? When the coach is shown like a nobody. And I am not what the media is writing, because I am very arrogant, because I am one of the best managers in the world.”
When asked how difficult the season has been, he replied: “Very difficult. More difficult for my players than me. First they have to deal with this manager, which is not so easy.”
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