Premier League champions Manchester United provided five of the six nominees for the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) player of the season award when they were announced on Tuesday.
The only non United player to be nominated is Liverpool’s inspirational captain Steven Gerrard.
The United quintet are headed by favourite for the award Serbian central defender Nemanja Vidic, veteran Welsh star Ryan Giggs – who has never won it – Vidic’s centreback partner Rio Ferdinand, Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo and veteran Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
For Giggs it probably represents his last crack at getting the ultimate nod from his peers while Gerrard can hope that he benefits as David Ginola did in 1999 by winning because the vote for the United players is split – something that infuriated Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ronaldo is bidding to become the first player to win it on three successive occasions.
United’s recent slump in form didn’t matter as the voting for the nominations took place prior to it.
The decision will be announced in London on April 26.
Nominees
PFA player of the year award:
Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Man Utd), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd), Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd), Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
PFA young player of the year award:
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Rafael Da Silva (Man Utd), Jonny Evans (Man Utd), Stephen Ireland (Man City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
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Editorials
April 16, 2009
Ronaldo is good to go
April 24, 2009
pfa nominee was a charade,why because it was tailor to favour Man united.
April 24, 2009
pfa nominee was a charade,why because it was tailor ed to favour Man united.where are the likes of John Terry,Lampard,Gareth Barry,Torres,Ireland and many others.
April 25, 2009
frankly speaking, the rest of the world knew quite well that the nomination is tailored to favour man u. It’s ridiculous to understand that a tired-leg Ryan Giggs would make the list in a highly competitive premier league that also produces world rated players in the likes of john terry, Frank lampard, Torres, Gareth Barry, Tim Cahil in amongst others. However, many would not be surprised at this, perhaps, that is why UEFA many a time attaches little or no importance to the credibility of english referees whenever it becomes necessary to select for UEFA Champions league, UEFA cup or even the lucrative World Cup tornaments. Be that as it may, it’s a shame and therefore unacceptable that the PFA come out with such horrible nomination. The PFA cannot be wiser than the entire world. The nomiation is biased and those assigned with the responsibility to do this should know. tanx