Ryan Giggs was named the PFA Player Of The Year for the very first time in career (having already picked up the PFA’s Young Player of the Year Award twice), while Aston Villa’s Ashley Young was voted the PFA Young Player of the Year by their Professional peers.
Via DailyMail
Giggs, 35, said: ‘It’s right up there – with personal accolades it’s the best to have as it’s voted by your fellow players. I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of trophies but this is the big one.’
“I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of trophies, I won the young player award twice, but this is the big one.”
Giggs has only started 12 league games this season but has been a regular in the squad for all competitions, with the award acknowledging the respect he has from opponents.
If he plays against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final first leg this week, it will be his 800th appearance for United, although the landmark is not as important to him as adding to his trophy haul.
Giggs paid tribute to his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, and also suggested he may play on beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of next season.
“The manager has been massive in my career from when I first met him when I was 13,” Giggs said.
“That’s over 20 years and he knows me better than anyone and our relationship has been brilliant and just gets better.
“I’ve been so fortunate to have such a great career in so many great teams, it’s not even worth thinking about what it would have been like without the manager.”
The Welshman has started taking his coaching badges, which may be a hint at the future, but he added: “As long as I’m getting picked, enjoying it and injury-free, I’ll carry on as long as I can. At 35 you can’t look too far into the distance, you just can’t.”
Aston Villa winger Ashley Young was voted Young Player of the Year.
“It’s a massive achievement for the club and my team-mates around me,” Young said. “It’s a great honour and I’m delighted.”
PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR - Edwin Van der Sar, Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Ashley Young, Steven Gerrard, Ryan Giggs, Ronaldo, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres.
Images via DailyMail
