Cristiano Ronaldo has been recognised by supporters as Manchester United’s Player of the Season following his first campaign back at Old Trafford.
The 37-year-old picked up his fourth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, becoming just the second United star to win it on four occasions. Having been voted as the Red Devils’ best player in 2003/04, 2006/07 and 2007/08, Ronaldo returned in 2021 - having spent more than a decade away from the club.
Ronaldo was signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the hope he would instantly lift United back into the title picture, having failed to win the Premier League since 2013. But in a miserable season which saw Solskjaer sacked, United could only manage a sixth-placed finish, recording their worst points tally in more than 30 years in the process.
But on an individual level, the Portuguese icon delivered - scoring 24 times in all competitions, including 18 in the league. Ronaldo also bagged two hat-tricks, both bringing about home wins against Tottenham and Norwich City respectively.
He also found the net six times in just seven Champions League matches, bringing his tally into the competition to 140. And United fans from across the world have voted him as the best of the bunch this season and it's little surprise with the forward having won the Player of the Month on four occasions - including the last three of the campaign.
Ronaldo wins the award having missed out on the version voted by his team-mates. David de Gea was the consensus vote from the dressing room, but finished runners-up in the eyes of the fans, with resurgent midfielder Fred finishing in third.
Having signed a two-year contract with an option to extend until 2024, there had been reports that Ronaldo could cut his time short and leave this summer. But he has quashed any speculation ahead of the summer window, opening up on his excitement to play under new First Team Manager Erik ten Hag.
"I know he did a fantastic job for Ajax and that he's an experienced coach but we need to give him time and things need to change the way he wants," he said earlier this week. "I hope we have success of course because if you have success all of Manchester are going to have success as well. So I wish him the best.
"We are happy and excited, not only the players but the supporters as well. I wish him the best and let's believe that next year we're going to win trophies. I was happy of course, to be back in a club that really raised my career so it was unbelievable, the feeling when I came back again, it was nice to feel the supporters, the happiness of them was great. I was and still am very happy to be here.
"And what I have to say to the fans is they are amazing even when you lost games they always support us, they always are with us, the supporters are always in my heart and it's the people that we all should respect because they are always on our side.
"For me, the most important thing is to try to win the games and try to win some championship or some cup but I believe that Manchester will be where they belong. As I say before, sometimes it takes time but I still believe."
