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Individual Performance of the Season
Dimitar Berbatov vs Liverpool
They are high pressure games against the team from Anfield and our record against these opponents has not been terrific of late. What’s more, having endured an enormous amount of criticism during his first two seasons at the club the Bulgar had a huge point to prove in 2010/11. His sublime hat-trick here, culminating in one of the most exquisite overhead kicks you will ever see, buried his critics at the bottom of the ocean. A stupendous performance from a stupendous player.
Honorable mentions: Wayne Rooney vs West Ham & Darren Gibson (yes him) vs Schalke 2nd Leg
Player of the Season
Edwin Van Der Sar
Despite his obvious howler against West Brom the Dutchman barely put a paw wrong all year. His final campaign at Old Trafford should now define ‘going out at the top’ for all sportsmen. He retires as one of United’s top three goalies of all time and he will be sorely missed
Goal of the Season
Dimitar Berbatov vs Liverpool
In terms of quality it is nearly impossible to separate this goal from Rooney’s against City. The reason this goal wins is because it seemed to defy the laws of physics and still looks improbable even on replay. Plus, it really deflated the scousers for another year. Lovely.
Most Improved Player
Rafael
Despite being ousted from the starting line up by his brother towards the end of the campaign Rafael can claim to have had an outstanding season over a larger sample of matches. Before Christmas he was established as the club's best right back and putting in exceptional performances every week. In fact, he has played so well that the retirement of club captain and winner of more than 80 England caps, Gary Neville, is barely seen as a loss. That is impressive.
Signing of the Season
Chicharito
There was really only one contender for this award, but he is not only United's best signing but possibly the best in Europe as well. In his first year at United he has scored against Chelsea, bagged a hatful of goals, netted in the Champion’s League and got the Old Trafford faithful wearing sombreros. I love him, you love him, and he’s great.
Best Opposition
Aston Villa’s youngsters
It seems churlish not to put Barcelona in this category but the whole world knows how brilliant they are anyway. At Villa Park United were nearly blown away by an excellent display of wing trickery and verve from a young side with guts. It is just the kind of thing I like to see on a football field and they deserve great credit. No wonder we bought their best player.
Tactical Display of the Season
(H) vs ArsenalFA Cup
A terrific performance and one that Fergie really pulled out of the bag. Playing Rafael and Fabio as attacking fullbacks completely flummoxed Wenger and essentially put paid to Arsenal’s title challenge.
Thickest opposition fans
Blackburn - singing 'Big Sam sort it out' at 6-0.
Flukiest Win
(A) vs Valencia
The Ralph Milne Award for best Transfer – Bebe
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Comments
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Posted by RM on 07/07/2011
I'm glad someone agrees about Berba's goal vs Liverpool trumping Rooney's... just.
What do you see as our ideal formation next season keeping in mind the new signings as well as the fact that we seem to be chasing a creative midfielder in Nasri/Sneijder/Modric?
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Posted by Fems on 07/07/2011
Nice selection....and it is nice to see Berba win something with the best individual award. However giving him the best goal is pushing it too far. Rooney's goal against City was much better in execution, timing in the game. impact on that game and who that game was against.
I also think Fabio was more improved than Raphael.
We will miss VDS.
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Posted by prince on 07/07/2011
United we stand,it is a good award giving,the players should look forward the challenges we are going to get next season.bravo united.
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Posted by Ralph on 07/07/2011
Mark, for tactical performance of the season, you mean the FA Cup match against Arsenal, right? Because if my memory serves me right we lost away to Arsenal late in the season.
Mark's Response
Indeed I do mean the FA Cup match, it killed their hopes for the league because they realised they just weren't good enough. Again.
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Posted by andrew simpson on 07/08/2011
Terrific performances by all the players during a very difficult year. Just curious if anyone knows why The club didn't bid for Charlie Adam??
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Posted by Jeff on 07/08/2011
I'd agree with all but the goal. Berba had the ball in his possesion when he executed his. Rooney was firing his in from a cross. I think the difference in difficulty from overhead kicking your own ball vs a cross is pretty big. And it was against City, which is just as good as giving the Scousers some tears.
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Posted by chedder on 07/08/2011
Rooney against City was by far the best goal of the season.I think Nani was our best player last season.I hope Man U go out on a limb to sign Modric..he is a technically gifted player
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Posted by steve on 07/09/2011
please has anybody noticed that berba plays better when Nani is on the bench.
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Posted by Mayokun on 07/09/2011
Berbatov is my player of the year,he gave united some fantastic goals last season. Luck isnt on his side,he did a pretty job,if his goals were to be removed....would united win the league.. Up berbatov
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Posted by russell on 07/10/2011
this end of seasons award is for man utd or the whole epl?
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Posted by Anmol on 07/10/2011
Why dont we loan gibson to some bpl teams and decide on his future after a season. This guy gives occasional glimpse of talent (eg schalke), although very rare. Think he needs regular 1st team chances, rather than bench warming...
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Posted by Anmol on 07/10/2011
If MU buy sneijder, then i guess/hope rooney can stay forward as an out n out striker. He has already proved himself as a prolific finisher and poacher (the season ago, 34 goals). Last season, he revolted, n then dropped back into CAM posn, due to lack of quality supply into box and control of game play. He dropped into midfield n supplied others. Tht shows his loyalty n unselfishness, contrary to some utd fans that doubt him. so, if utd can buy a good CM/CAM, then rooney can play as an striker, n tons of goals for sure to come. GGMU lty n unselfishness, contrary to some utd fans that doubt him. so, if utd can buy a good CM/CAM, then rooney can play as an striker, n tons of goals for sure to come. GGMU
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Posted by Tobi Abiodun on 07/10/2011
Man utd should go for sneider with 35 million pounds and 4get nasri and baba ijebu.
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Posted by waro on 07/10/2011
I hate this Season Review DVD. What was United/FA (I don't know which one) endorse this?
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Posted by Kartik Vashisth on 07/10/2011
Russell: It is only for Manchester United, though anyone will get confused if it is for EPL or Utd only... same difference, really
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Posted by Jonno on 07/11/2011
Just to be a bit different I would say for sheer impact the goal of the season was Little p's goal against Chelsea in the OT league game. We won the 19th for sure at that moment.
Not quite a goal of the season candidate but a super goal nonetheless was Rooney's against Barcelona. A glimpse of what we are capable of. Playing Barca at their own game and beating them. Shame about the other 89 minutes.
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Posted by akinbamiyorin marcus on 07/11/2011
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Posted by Sharon Alade on 07/15/2011
The awards were really great, good to see Berbatov clinch the goal cos he gave a little more effort, I wish he wuld do more this season. But the Big boss shuldnt forget dat we still dont have a born defensive midfielder since Roy Keane. The awards were really great, good to see Berbatov clinch the goal cos he gave a little more effort, I wish he wuld do more this season. But the Big boss shuldnt forget dat we still dont have a born defensive midfielder since Roy Keane.
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Posted by sir done kutesa on 07/15/2011
i agree with every single word u'v written.i lv seein' dat.thx utd, thx fergie.i lv utd.
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Posted by Dele on 07/15/2011
As always Mark spot on. I think the boss should buy a defensive midfielder a'la Roy Keane so that Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher & Co. can show how good they can pass the ball forwards and create scoring chances. Then no one will care if Sneijder wants to leave Inter or not. Lassana anyone?
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Posted by igbagboyemi on 07/23/2011
Now,i think what united need is a creative mildfielder,in the like of sneidjer,modric,and samir. United should go for sneidner and i believe he can replace paul s.
Modric and nasry are good players, they creat goal,they score,good shot,infact United should quickly go for sneidjer or luka modric Now,i think what united need is a creative mildfielder,in the like of sneidjer,modric,and samir. United should go for sneidner and i believe he can replace paul s.
Modric and nasry are good players, they creat goal,they score,good shot,infact United should quickly go for sneidjer or luka modric
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Posted by Ritchie kenya on 07/27/2011
Berba I lv u. Rooney ur great, plz rooney tell fergie to bring for u sneidjer so that u cn gv us more goals with chicharito. vidic for captain. man u woiyeee
Posted by Vaibhav on 07/28/2011
Great article! I agree with all of the awards except two:
1) Best goal: Wayne Rooney vs Man City (what an important goal!)
2) Flukiest win: West Brom away (we rlly shud have lost that one!)
Posted by femi roy on 08/16/2011
i love united and they have a good start in the pre season but that hopening march is not okay they need snidjer too complete that midfield.
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About
Mark Payne writes about football for a variety of media outlets. He reported on the 2010 World Cup for Australia’s ABC network and worked at one of the FIFA fan sites. He has been ESPN’s Manchester United correspondent for four years. His writing attracts a worldwide following and in 2011 this blog was nominated for an award. To contact Mark for football discussion e-mail him on markpayne.editor@hotmail.com at any time. He wears lucky socks on match days.
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