For the second year running, Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea was the big winner at United's end of season awards banquet. On Tuesday evening, De Gea won both the Player's Player of the Year award and the Fan's Player of the Year award. Heading into the ceremony, there were few other names on people's lips in competition for both awards.
De Gea was superb all season long for United, and it can be argued that he picked up 12 points all by himself with his performances against Everton (H), Arsenal (A), Stoke City (H) and Liverpool (H). The number of times he made a stupefying save this season is hard to count, and he was the clear choice for both awards.
Although Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini, Ashley Young and Ander Herrera all have had very impressive seasons, De Gea was United's standout performer this season. This was the second year in a row the keeper picked up the Player's Player of the Year award, and he thanked his team-mates:
"I want to say thank you to my team-mates, they have been fantastic this season and I love them. We have a great dressing room and I would like to say thank you very much," said De Gea. When asked what his favourite save of the season was, he said: "I think for the goalkeepers any save is important to help the team. I am very pleased [with the award] and I only want to say thank you to my team-mates."
After accepting the Player's Player of the Year award, De Gea's night only got better as he went on to repeat as winner of the Sir Matt Busby Award as Fan's Player of the Year. The Spaniard is the first goalkeeper to win the award.
In recent months, De Gea has been linked with a transfer to Real Madrid and it is unknown whether or not he will still be at United come next term. However, the response he received at Old Trafford on Saturday coupled with picking up these two awards can't hurt the chances of him staying with the Reds.