It is football’s equivalent of Oscar Season; that time of year when the gongs are handed out and the focus is on individuals rather than teams. It is a process, says Arsene Wenger, that deflects from the team ethic required in professional football. Still, with two nominations, David de Gea is the only Manchester United player up for one of the PFA’s top awards this year. As the country’s outstanding goalkeeper, he deserves it too.
Despite the double nomination for both the PFA Player of the Year and Young PotY awards De Gea is unlikely to win either gong when the winners are announced on 26 April – they are likely to go to Eden Hazard and Harry Kane. Yet, De Gea’s rise over the past four years from nervous 19-year-old newly arrived from Atletico Madrid to one of the three best ‘keepers in world football is surely complete.
Indeed, De Gea will be named as the Premier League’s best goalkeeper for the second time in four years. In truth it should be three, with Petr Cech edging out the United stopper in 2014 despite the Chelsea stopper’s indifferent year.
This season De Gea has frequently been the difference for United when the Reds conceded far too many chances amid some indifferent team performances over the autumn and winter months. He has also made mistakes though – recent goals conceded against Liverpool and Aston Villa were, in part, due to De Gea’s error.
There are also other candidates for United’s Player of the Year Award: Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young enjoy support among United’s global fanbase.
[poll id=”100″]
Big Dave!
de Gea
Always enjoy a rhetorical question.
that guy who flies through the air and never shaves
has to be de gea or Rooney for me bin the most consistent performers
The man in the picture.
Oh @D_DeGea By far
carrick
only one answer: Edurne.
There’s no option to vote for Balotelli, I’m confused!
was thinking about this earlier today. I went with Ashley Young. Wanted to choose Carrick tho
Even though United looks to be ending the season with a head of steam, that does not mask the fact that there have been too many ordinary performances by the outfield players (for whatever reason).
David de Gea has consistently operated at a high level throughout the season and he is probably the player that fans would least like to see transferred in the summer.
De Gea,Carrick and Smalling
David de Gea is the player of the year for us, but I am surprised Smalling ranks lowest among the potential candidates. After de Gea, I would say Smalling has been our most consistent player. With the exception of the stupid sending off at City, he has been one of the mainstays in defence for us, partnering with Jones, Evans, Rojo, Blackett, and McNair, and delivering solid performances. What’s been most impressive is he has neither been rash like Jones, nor uncertain like Evans. His passing and playing the ball out from the back have to improve but I see improvements in his game this season. And he’s scoring important goals too! You know a player is good when Wenger covets him!
@Lucas_MUTD
United were a 1 man team for most of the season. The and one and only reason we were anywhere near the top 4 prior to White Hart Lane was the keeper.
The one and only reason his cult amongst the fans hasn’t reached the level of religious fervour merited by his contribution to our club, is the contract situation.