Nemanja Vidic, Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year


Vida poses with the Players' Player trophy and Sir Alex


Andy Cole gives Ronny his Goal of the Season gong


Reserve Player of the Year James Chester with Ole


Robbo gives Kiko his Academy Player of the Year award

Serb's silverware

"I'm honoured. It's amazing to get these awards. I'm very happy here at United."
- Nemanja Vidic

And the winners are...

Nemanja Vidic - Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year; Players' Player of the Year.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Goal of the Season, v FC Porto.
James Chester - Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year
Federico Macheda - Jimmy Murphy Academy Player of the Year

Nemanja Vidic was named Player of the Year by United fans and his team-mates at the Reds' end-of-season awards night at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Just 24 hours after Sir Alex and his men were crowned Premier League champions for a third successive year and 18th time in total, the Reds were clearly still in partying mood. The whole squad turned out in style for the gala dinner, a star-studded event in Old Trafford's Manchester Suite.

Vidic collected the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year accolade, voted for by fans on ManUtd.com, and the Players' Player trophy to a well-deserved standing ovation.

"I am honoured," he said. "It is amazing to win these awards, especially when I consider the quality of the players I play alongside every day. I would like to say thank you to the fans and to my team-mates.

"I enjoy being here every day and playing with these players and working with the coaches. I'm very happy here at United."

The Reds' defence was key in the team's title success, the Club World Cup and Carling Cup triumphs, and in reaching the Champions League final, and Vidic has been the central pillar around which United's rock-solid rearguard has been built.

Vida wasn't the only winner on the night. Cristiano Ronaldo, who cleaned up with all three main awards at last year's event, claimed the Goal of the Season accolade for his stunning strike against FC Porto in the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Estadio do Dragao.

Elsewhere, James Chester picked up the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year gong. The 20-year-old defender, who was commanding as second-string skipper until being loaned out for a successful spell with Peterborough, picked the award voted for by fans ahead of Tom Cleverley and Corry Evans.

Federico Macheda was named Jimmy Murphy Academy Player of the Year, an award justified not just by his performances in United's Under-18s, but at all levels at the club this season.

The highly-rated Italian has scored goals for the Academy and Reserves, while his match-winning strike against Aston Villa on his first-team debut remains one of the season's defining moments. He was picked for the award ahead of last year's winner Danny Welbeck and Matty James.

Ronny proud on 'special day'

"It's a fantastic achievement. It's not easy to win three times. The lads worked for that and it's a special, special moment. We have to enjoy the moment."

- Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo beamed with pride as he reflected on clinching the third Premier League title of his United career.

The Portuguese winger, United's top scorer for a third successive season, revelled in the post-match celebrations after the Reds' draw with Arsenal had given the reigning champions an unassailable lead at the head of the table.

"It's unbelievable, it's a special day," Ronaldo told MUTV. "We've won the league again and now we get to celebrate with our families. I'm enjoying it a lot. It's a fantastic achievement. It's not easy to win three times, the lads worked for that and it's a special, special moment. We have to enjoy the moment."

The Reds' triumph secured an 18th league title, equalling the longstanding record of Liverpool, but Ronaldo admits United need only concentrate on winning more silverware.

"We don't need to care about other teams," he said. "It's always good to be on the top, and we are in a good moment. We've won a few things and this club needs to carry on. It doesn't matter which players are here or which coach is here, the mentality of this club is always to win. I'm looking forward, and proud to be in the history of this team."

With one half of last season's Double now safely retained, United's attentions will now switch to overcoming Barcelona in the Champions League final. Should the Reds reign in Rome, Ronaldo believes this campaign can be held in the fondest regard, admitting: "If we win that then it's an unbelievable year."

Sir Alex defends Ronny reaction

Sir Alex Ferguson explained Cristiano Ronaldo’s frustrated response to being substituted in the second half against Manchester City as the winger’s determination to play.

Ronaldo was clearly disappointed at his early departure from the action, after setting United on the way to a comfortable 2-0 win in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford, but Sir Alex believes it was a healthy reaction.

“He wanted to stay on, that’s the simple reason,” said the boss. “He’s in great form, but I have got to look at the bigger picture. He had an incredible performance at Arsenal in midweek, he ran his socks off. We have to think about how we get through our games and keeping him fresh.

“It’s great when players want to play. Take Jonny Evans, who was taken ill this morning. We put him on medication but he still said he wanted to play. He was feeling his hamstring at half time but again he wanted to play on. That’s the guts you want. I brought him off because I can’t take chances at this stage of the season.”

United’s other goalscorer, Carlos Tevez, was another player to make a gesture that will make the headlines. After scoring the Reds’ brilliant second, he held his hands behind his ears. The Argentinian’s future remains unclear, but Sir Alex was again unmoved over the issue.

“I didn’t read [what he was quoted as saying in] the papers. You hear things… but, look, he is a Manchester United player. The fans love him. Our fans love triers. When players try, the fans love that.” Asked when Tevez’s future would be sorted out, the boss responded curtly: “I’m not getting into that, OK?”

Spekta ... Ron

Ronny's rocket
United pulled off an historic victory - thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 40-yard rocket. The Portuguese star - dubbed ‘The Winker’ after his exploits at the 2006 World Cup - hit a sixth-minute stunner as United became the first English team to win at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao. Sir Alex Ferguson, celebrating his 150th Euro game in charge, said: “It was an unbelievable goal, a magnificent hit. It was a fantastic goal but that’s what Cristiano is capable of. His shot took them by surprise and the goalkeeper had no chance. The boys played well. We had good control at the back and that’s always key. When you have the stability of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the back it’s a big help.” United face Arsenal in the semi-finals and Fergie added: “There should be some good football played in that one!”
Neil Custis, The Sun

Ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal, Sir Alex admitted he would settle for a single goal win in the first game.

Arsene Wenger has set his sights on United's European crown after the victory over Villarreal. He said: "It is a test but one we relish. Both teams like to go forward and we will be up for the challenge."

In other news, Real Madrid have once again insisted Ronaldo will be their player next season. Former president Ramon Calderon said: “The next president will have at his disposal one of the best players in the world, who is already committed to Real.”

Reds dominate PFA shortlists

United's domination of the domestic season so far is further underlined by the PFA's shortlists for the Player and Young Player of the Year awards.

The Barclays Premier League leaders, Carling Cup winners and FA Cup semi-finalists occupy all but one of the nominations for the PFA Players' Player of the Year. There are five Reds in the running - goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and attacking midfielders Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo. The only opposition player on the six-strong shortlist is Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

One third of the PFA Players' Young Player of the Year nominees play for United - namely right-back Rafael and centre-back Jonny Evans. The other four contenders are Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young, Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland or Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon.

The news that so many Reds have been recognised by their fellow professionals can only boost confidence as United prepare to take on Porto in the Champions League quarter-final second leg. Hopefully most, if not all, of the seven short-listed players will be available for selection at Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday night, including Ferdinand who has missed the last three games with a groin injury.

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