EPL

Ronaldo named Man Utd's Player of the Year for record-equalling fourth time

By Sports Desk June 04, 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named Manchester United's Player of the Year for a record-equalling fourth time after a productive first season back at the club.

The Portugal international returned to Old Trafford in September and made an instant impact with two goals on his second debut against Newcastle United.

He went on to score 18 goals in the Premier League this season, a tally only Mohamed Salah and Son Heung-min – who both played five games more – could better.

Ronaldo scored 24 goals in 38 appearances for United in all competitions, including age-defying hat-tricks against Tottenham and Norwich City in the league.

Having claimed five Player of the Month awards at United last term, the 37-year-old was crowned the club's Player of the Year on Saturday, equalling David de Gea's tally of four wins.

The award is voted for by supporters, whereas the Players' Player of the Year accolade – won by De Gea earlier this week – is decided by United's players.

Ronaldo was previously named United's Player of the Year in 2003-04, 2006-07 and 2007-08, before spending nine years with Real Madrid and three seasons at Juventus.

Related items

  • Onana admits he is willing to take Man Utd criticism 'bullets' Onana admits he is willing to take Man Utd criticism 'bullets'

    Andre Onana says he is willing to take criticism "bullets" after a poor Premier League campaign for Manchester United.

    The Red Devils recorded their lowest-ever finish in eighth place, with the manager and players coming under scrutiny for some of their performances.

    One of those singled out was Onana, who joined United from Inter at the start of the season, after an error-strewn start to his life at the club.

    Asked how he deals with the criticism coming from fans, pundits, and former players, Onana said it does not bother him. 

    "For me, I don't pay attention to it. I have come into this team to take bullets because we are under construction – at the moment, we are not the best," he told the Overlap.

    "We have other teams who are doing better than us, and we have to be honest and recognise that. If things and when things are going wrong, don't go for the youngest player – I'm here to take it, Bruno [Fernandes], Casemiro and Harry [Maguire] are there, and we are used to it.

    "When it's people who were sitting where I'm sitting, who won everything, sometimes it's bizarre – we are in the same boat. We try to follow your thing and what you did. For me, I don't mind, but other people may be affected. For me, to be honest, it's just a part of the game."

    United conceded 84 goals in all competitions this season, their worst-ever tally in a single campaign.

    Erik ten Hag’s side also missed out on a European place due to their league finish but have another opportunity to get one if they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

    Onana is optimistic though as he views the season as a learning curve.

    "I'm happy because we have good people around us, especially at this club, who helped me so much," he added.

    "That's why I'm still smiling - because the first six months were difficult, but at the same time, it was a good moment to learn.

    "After playing the final of the Champions League and the final of the Europa League, you think you are the best – life gives you an opportunity to learn and says, 'You are never too big'.

    "You can have a good season, next year you have a bad season, but the year after an amazing season. The ups and downs and being here, you have to deal with them – especially being a goalkeeper."

  • Outgoing Brighton boss De Zerbi not walking into new job Outgoing Brighton boss De Zerbi not walking into new job

    Roberto De Zerbi insisted he does not have another job lined up after overseeing his final game as Brighton and Hove Albion boss on Sunday.

    One day after surprisingly announcing De Zerbi's departure, Brighton ended their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 home loss to Manchester United.

    That meant they slipped below rivals Crystal Palace to finish 11th in the table, their first bottom-half placing since finishing 16th in 2020-21.

    De Zerbi has been linked with several big clubs since leading Brighton to European qualification last season, with Bayern Munich, Milan and Napoli touted as possible landing spots for the former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk coach.

    However, De Zerbi says he has not reached an agreement with any other club, telling reporters: "There isn't any club – no-one offered me anything. At the moment, nothing.

    "I hope to work in the Premier League again. I don't know where or when, but it was an honour to work in the Premier League."

    Sunday's defeat was De Zerbi's 70th Premier League game in charge of Brighton, with his top-flight win percentage of 37 per cent (26/70) the highest of any boss in the Seagulls' history.

    Battling a lengthy injury list for much of 2023-24, Brighton made a total of 143 changes to their starting lineup throughout the course of the campaign, with only Manchester City in 2019-20 (144) ever making more in a single Premier League season.

    Asked by BBC Match of the Day if there was a particular reason for his exit, the Italian added: "We didn't find the agreement to move on. I want to keep my way. 

    "I know very well what I want to do and I know I am a coach and I have to accept the policies of the club.

    "They gave me an incredible chance. They gave me the possibility to know incredible people, to play and to work in the Premier League, to play in the Europa League. They gave me the opportunity to know this club, this city, these fans and that I cannot forget."

    Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna and Nice coach Francesco Farioli have both been tipped as possible contenders to replace De Zerbi, with Brighton having a reputation for excellent succession planning under owner Tony Bloom.

    Asked about the search for a replacement on Sunday, Bloom said: "We always try and have a plan. We have got a plan. We now need to execute that plan."

  • Howe taking plenty of positives despite frustrating Newcastle campaign Howe taking plenty of positives despite frustrating Newcastle campaign

    Eddie Howe was keen to look at the positives after Newcastle United secured seventh place in the Premier League on Sunday.

    Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes were among the goalscorers as Newcastle won 4-2 at Brentford to finish their Premier League campaign.

    The victory ensured a seventh-place finish, and a Manchester City victory over Manchester United in next Saturday's FA Cup final will confirm Newcastle's place in next season's Europa Conference League.

    While this season did not quite live up to the heroics of last term, which saw the Magpies finish in the Champions League spots, Howe still feels it has been a successful campaign.

    "It summed up our season," Howe told BBC Sport. "We weren't totally secure at the back, but great credit to the players. They've done their job - now we wait and see.

    "We anticipated after losing against Manchester United that our control of the [European] situation had gone. It's never a nice situation, but whatever happens, happens.

    "We have issues to solve defensively. If we can do that, next season could be another season of really strong performances. This was a season that could have been better, but a good season overall.

    "We're a really united club. I think we're still moving forward, so there's a lot to be positive about."

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.