Football
ESPN staff 9y

David De Gea expresses 'love' for Man United teammates after award

David De Gea has retained the Sir Matt Busby trophy after being named Manchester United's player of the year.

The goalkeeper, who finished third in the voting for the PFA Player of the Year award, was honoured at a ceremony at Old Trafford after fans voted him United's outstanding individual this season.

De Gea, 24, has enjoyed an impressive 2014-15 campaign, managing 10 clean sheets to help United secure Champions League qualification.

His form has led to interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid, and manager Louis van Gaal has admitted it will be difficult to persuade the Spain international to remain at Old Trafford.

De Gea becomes the fourth player to win the award in successive seasons, after Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the only three-time winner since the award was introduced in 1988.

Manager Louis van Gaal felt he was a deserving winner, saying: "I am very proud of you because I have seen him in the first matches and I have seen him in the second part of the season.

"I think you developed yourself more than the other players of Manchester United. That's why I agree with the fans."

The Spaniard was also crowned United's Players' Player of the Year and said: "I just want to thank my teammates. They have been fantastic this season -- I love them.

"We have a great dressing room and I would like to say thank you very much."

Juan Mata's scissor kick at Anfield, the second of a brace in a 2-1 win over Liverpool, was voted the goal of the year, with Angel Di Maria's chip at Leicester coming second.

Andreas Pereira was named the under-21 player of the year and Axel Tuanzebe won the under-18 award.

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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