Marcus Rashford has revealed who got his vote for Manchester United’s Players’ Player of the Year award.
United held the annual awards night on Monday with Rashford walking away with the club’s two biggest prizes: the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and Players’ Player of Year award.
It is the first time the 25-year-old has won either prize and the first time since Ryan Giggs in 1998 that the main award, which is voted for by the fans, has gone to an academy graduate.
The forward is enjoying the best season of his career by far in 2022/23 with 30 goals and 11 assists, his efforts helping Erik ten Hag’s side win the Carabao Cup and reach the FA Cup final as well as finish third in the Premier League.
‘It’s obviously a proud moment. I feel I should have scored a few more, but, you know, there’s always room for improvement,’ Rashford said while collecting his awards.
‘That’s what I’ve been looking to do for next season. I’m pleased with how it went, but I’m looking forward to improve and hopefully getting better numbers in that next season.
‘I feel a huge sense of pride. I just hope that more academy players can go on and win this award and feel what I’m feeling right now on the stage.’
“I’m very happy. Very pleased. I just want to say a big thanks to [my] team- mates [and] staff because without them pushing you every day in training you don’t get to see the best version of me. I appreciate all of you guys and thank you very much.”
The England international was then asked who he had picked when voting for the Players’ Player award and few United fans would be surprised by his picks.
‘I think I nominated two people. I don’t know if I’m allowed to do that!’ he said laughingly.
‘I voted for Case [Casemiro] and Bruno [Fernandes]. I feel like Case has done an amazing job since coming in and he has made us a lot more solid.
‘He’s one of the reasons why David [De Gea] managed to win the Golden Glove, and we were just a lot more solid in the midfield. That freed the likes of people like Bruno and [Christian] Eriksen, who I thought has had a tremendous season as well, to play their football.’
Defensive midfielder Casemiro has had an incredible impact since arriving at Old Trafford from Real Madrid last summer and was considered Rashford’s main rival for the awards, though his two sending offs and 13 yellow cards may be what cost him the win.
Attacking midfielder Fernandes won the Player of the Year trophy in 2020 and 2021 and has enjoyed another fine and underrated campaign with 13 goals and 15 assists, whilst also creating the most big chances in the league.
The Portugal star has often skippered the side in the absence of Harry Maguire and is expected to wear the armband again on Saturday for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
