United Briefing.

United Briefing: Who gets the players' vote?

Tuesday 18 May 2021 08:00

The main winners of Manchester United's annual awards will be revealed later today, with plenty of anticipation over who will take home the prizes.

Last year, Bruno Fernandes was voted the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, while Anthony Martial collected the Players' Player accolade.

Marcus Rashford earned the Goal of the Season gong for his astonishing free-kick against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

All of our Player of the Year winners

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It's the most prestigious prize a Red can win and our list of previous recipients is iconic, as you can see here...

You have voted in your thousands and we will be announcing the results this afternoon. Will Bruno retain the trophy or will it go to one of his colleagues?

Fans from over 200 countries took part in our online polls to decide the Player of the Year and Goal of the Season. The squad, of course, have also had their say by making their choices for the Players' Player award.

All three trophy winners will be revealed before the Reds face Fulham at Old Trafford this evening.

So who do the players think is most worthy of the individual prize? We spoke to six of them to get their thoughts on the subject...

Eric Bailly: "I don't want to say but you know, we have many players who improved this season. Harry, Victor, Luke Shaw - I'm very happy for him. He's improved a lot. And Bruno Fernandes, he's changed a lot of things since he came."

Victor Lindelof: "I think Luke Shaw has been brilliant. Obviously, Bruno has been brilliant as well. Rashy, as well, scoring and assisting some great goals for us. It is very difficult, I'm not sure, but it has to be one of those three, I think. If I have to go with one I will go with Bruno as I think he's been absolutely brilliant, unbelievable, with his goals and assists. Even if I want to give it to a fellow defender, I can't deny Bruno's stats, goals and assists."

Juan Mata: "We were speaking about it in the dressing room and joking with Bruno and Luke. Probably, for me, they both deserve it. Luke has been, especially over the last months, very, very consistent and given us a lot from his position, offensively and defensively. But Bruno, for me, has been the more consistent player in the team. Always, even when he is not having the brightest day, he is creating something for us. To be honest, I think he was Player of the Year as, since he came here, he's been fantastic. He's a great team-mate and a great guy and I'm very happy for him. He deserves it."

Scott McTominay: "Who gets my vote? Probably I'd say Luke Shaw. He's just been top; really, really good. Like really, really good. It's no surprise to me that he's been that good."

Players' Player of the Year: Who'll win it?

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Ahead of this year's result, we've listed the last 15 winners of our dressing-room accolade.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: "I gave my vote to Luke but I think Bruno was up there as well. Luke has been the standout for me, putting in the performances and that pushes me as well, to compete with him, to bring the best out of both of us. He's been positive throughout, making the most of every game. He's not taken his foot off the pedal. He's kept pushing himself until the whistle goes and also he helps the team as well."

Brandon Williams: "I think I can't narrow it down to one because there have been so many. I'd probably say Rashy, Luke and Harry are my top three. We've got three games left so whoever performs best in those three games will take my vote. Bruno has been a very key player but I think it's those three because I don't think they get the credit they deserve. Bruno gets all the goals and assists and everything but the defence has improved so much. The way Luke has performed, he's got himself involved in the attacking play and, with Harry's leadership, it's everything he does off the pitch as well. I call Player of the Year for training as well all season and not just on the pitch. Bruno can be fourth." 

The recipients of the Denzil Haroun Under-23s Player of the Year and Jimmy Murphy Youth-Team Player of the Year will be declared in due course.

Ona Batlle was presented with the Women's Player of the Year award on Sunday.

Goal of the Season: The shortlist Video

Goal of the Season: The shortlist

Make sure you watch all 20 of the contenders before casting your vote for Goal of the Season...

WHAT'S HAPPENING TODAY?

Look out for the winners of our Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Goal of the Season awards being announced this afternoon.

Of course, we have a big game to look forward to - with up to 10,000 fans attending - as Old Trafford stages its last fixture of the season. Fulham are the visitors as we look to clinch the three points that will seal second spot in the Premier League.

There is also a big match in the fight for a top-four slot at 20:15 BST when Chelsea look to exact revenge for their Emirates FA Cup final defeat to Leicester City.

Order your United v Fulham programme

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How to get your hands on the final issue of United Review for 2020/21.

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's press conference was covered as the boss discussed a variety of topics ahead of the Cottagers clash.

We also provided the latest team news from both camps and looked ahead to the long-awaited return of supporters to Old Trafford.

There was also some great personal news regarding Daniel James.

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