Ferguson shrugs off Wenger award jibes

ALEX FERGUSON has dismissed Arsene Wenger’s claims Manchester United players would not be dominating the PFA award nominations if the votes were being cast now.

United boast five of the six contenders, including favourite Nemanja Vidic and current holder Cristiano Ronaldo, who is attempting to become the first player to win the prestigious award for a third successive season.

Steven Gerrard is the only non-Red Devil, which could prove somewhat embarrassing for the PFA if either Liverpool or more notably Chelsea, go on to lift the major prizes this season.

Wenger feels the nominations list would look somewhat different if voting had taken place later in the season, once United had begun to suffer their present dip in form.

“What I believe is that the PFA players of the year decisions are all made in February,” the Gunners boss said.

“But February is not a really important time and that means the players who are rewarded are those who played well until February.

“Now is the most important time of the season — April, May — so I believe these awards just reward the players of the first six months of the season.

“A player who has been out until January has no chance to be voted but he can still be very influential for the rest of the season.’’

He added: “I personally believe that the only real sign of quality is consistency.

“You or I can maybe hit a golf ball as good as a professional, but to repeat it every day is different. Can you repeat it in every game? That is a sign of quality.

“I believe what is important is we are in a team sport and I’m not too interested in singling out players. I am ready to vote what is the best team at the end of the season rather than about individuals.”

Ferguson does not disagree with a theory that the voting needs to be put back.

However, even if it was, the United boss cannot see how Wenger can think opinions which are supposed to take into account an entire season can be changed on the basis of just a few games.

“It is valid to have five contenders,” he said. “If we are talking about current form, Arsene cannot just go back two or three games.

“The PFA awards are always done early. That has been noted in the past. Votes are collected in January or February. I actually think they should be done later.”

There is a theory that United’s vote could be split, allowing Gerrard to take the prize.

As United are still in line to win an astonishing five trophies, that could be equally embarrassing for the PFA, who Ferguson has never let forget handed the prize to David Ginola in the 1999 Treble-winning season.

It is for that reason the Scot is not getting too stressed out about who might win it this year, or who is his favoured candidate from a list that also includes record-breaking goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, Rio Ferdinand and the evergreen Ryan Giggs, who has never won the award despite gathering 10 league titles.

“It is difficult to choose a player of the year,” said Ferguson.

“We have had some good performances this season. Giggs, Vidic, Darren Fletcher, John O’Shea and Edwin van der Sar have all done well.

“Vidic has had an exceptional season and Giggs just amazes you every time. But it is difficult to say what impact how many players you have got in these things actually has.

“In 1999 when we won the Treble, we never won an award. I don’t think too much emphasis should be placed on it.”

In addition to dominating the main award, United also have two contenders to be crowned Young Player of the Year in Jonny Evans and Rafael Da Silva.

Evans has enjoyed an outstanding season stepping in for Ferdinand on a regular basis but Rafael, a young 18-year-old Brazilian, has arguably made even more of an impact.

There is plenty of competition though, with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young both making the final six in recognition of Aston Villa’s brilliant first half of the campaign.

Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon also caught the eye of his fellow professionals, although it could be argued Manchester City’s Stephen Ireland has enjoyed the most consistent season and is most likely to succeed Cesc Fabregas.

Ireland might have courted controversy in his international career but he has put all that behind him this term, with some stellar performances that have outshone Brazilian duo Robinho and Elano.