Nani and Chicharito win Manchester United Player of the Year awards

Posted Thursday, May 19, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Nani and Javier Hernandez have picked up Manchester United's Player of the Year awards.

Portugal international Nani won the club's Players' Player of the Year prize after scoring nine goals and setting up a further 18 in the Premier League this season, helping the club to a record 19th title.

Rio Ferdinand was quick to congratulate his teammate on Twitter, revealing that he had voted for the former Sporting Lisbon man.

“I voted for Nani for my player of the year, 18 assists+about 10goals speaks for itself! Well done @luisnani on players player of year award!,” Ferdinand wrote.

Nani has found greater consistency than in previous campaigns, a factor he alluded to when picking up his honour.

“This has been my most consistent season for United,” said the 24-year-old, who almost beat Hernandez to the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, which is voted for by fans, but fell just one per cent short in the vote.

“Every year I’ve been here I have improved and this one was fantastic for me. I created a lot of goals and scored more than last season, so I’m very happy. I hope to do even better next season.”

Hernandez won his award after a debut season in which he notched 13 Premier League goals, with highlights being his first-minute opener against title rivals Chelsea and an audacious header away at Stoke City.

The Mexican picked up 21% of the vote, and said upon receiving his award: "I dreamt about playing for Manchester United and thought perhaps in my first season I’d play for the Reserves with maybe a few minutes in the first team. But thanks to the boss and all my teammates I have played a little bit more!”

Upon news of the youngster’s success, Ferdinand tweeted: “Chicharito won fans player of the year…fully deserved, has fitted in so well here + scored many vital goals. Huge future!”

Other award winners on the night were Ryan Tunnicliffe, who picked up the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year for helping United to the Youth Cup Final, and Oliver Gill, who received the title of Reserve Player of the Year 2011