Manchester United have five out of the six nominees in the PFA Player of the Year Awards this season. Edwin Van Der Sar, Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo all nominated. The other player on the shortlist is Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. We take a closer look at all the nominees below.
Ryan Giggs
The Welsh wing wizard has impressed immensely this season, switching to the centre of midfield this season he has enjoyed a new lease of life. Ryan is a fantastic professional who shuns the limelight in favour of the quiet life. And it’s that lifestyle that has helped him play into his 35th year. He also broke the United appearance record of Bobby Charlton.
Rio Ferdinand
Rio was part of the record breaking defence that claimed a record breaking 14 clean sheets early in the season. He is a superb ambassador for the game, championing many charitable causes. He has grown into a good role model for youngsters both at Manchester United and across the country with his charity and community work.
Edwin Van Der Sar
Those 14 games without conceding a goal have gone a long way to Edwin Van Der Sar being nominated for this award. The Dutchman has been in solid form this season and is generally considered the best keeper United have had since the ‘Great Dane’ Peter Schmeichel.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese attacker has been in good form this season and won the FIFA World Player of the Year, after scoring 42 goals in all competitions. The man from Madeira is currently United’s top scorer with 15 league goals.
Nemanja Vidic
The defender has formed a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the United defence. Not only is the Serbian a top defender he also pops up at the other end of the field with vital goals, including a crucial goal in the 2-0 victory over Inter Milan in the First Knockout Round of the Champions League.
Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool captain has again pushed his team forward from midfield, scoring 21 goals in all competitions for the Reds. He has at times benefitted from being pushed into a second striker role were he has thrived and has also played a crucial role for his country in World Cup qualifying.
I think that Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo will win the award this season and make it a hat-trick of victories, after winning the award for the previous two seasons. I believe he will end the season as the league top goal scorer which will help him in winning the award. However I think Nemanja Vidic deserves a big mention. The big Serbian has improved greatly this season alongside England star Rio Ferdinand and also scored vital goals.
Written by Majido A, a football writer who blogs about Manchester United.
