Pundit Arena Because Sport Is Everything
The Manchester United player of the year awards took place on Tuesday away from the scenes at the Bernabeu.
The annual end of season awards encompasses the obvious player of the year award (voted on by the players), goal of the season and youth player of the year.
Youth team player Tahith Chong won the youth prize, which prompted manager Jose Mourinho to create his own award on the spot – the manager’s player of the year.
That reward wasn’t bestowed upon David de Gea, who won his third player’s player gong. Instead, youngster Scott McTominay received the award from a beaming Mourinho.
The boss surprised us all by presenting a Manager's Player of the Year award at #MUFCPOTY tonight…
But we can all agree that @McTominay10 is a worthy recipient!
Congrats, Scott! ?? pic.twitter.com/5jAvki3x5l
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 1, 2018
And here is Jose presenting @McTominay10 with his surprise award! #MUFCPOTY pic.twitter.com/dbTXhvl9ne
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 1, 2018
The Scotsman has made 20 appearances this season, ably filling in at central midfield during crucial parts of the season when the position was gutted by injury and suspension.
Mourinho explained his reasoning for the impromptu award and recipient in speaking to MUTV.
“When I heard there were two awards for young players, I thought ‘it is not acceptable – this kid cannot go home without an award’. I always say there are not young players or old players – it’s just about quality. This kid has everything I want, so I think it is good for the younger boys in the Academy to look at him as an example.”
Such a gesture will go a long way to raising the 21-year-old’s confidence and shows how keen Mourinho is to feature him in United’s plans going forward.
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