Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was announced as Player of the Yeason, at the club's glittering annual awards evening in Manchester on Monday.

It marks the third successive year the Spaniard wins the coveted Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year gong, holding off strong competition from Anthony Martial, who has enjoyed a strong debut campaign for The Red Devils.

The ceremony was once again held at Old Trafford, with former players and award winners in attendance: the like of Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton and Denis Irwin.

Three in a row for de Gea

De Gea's win signals the first time in the award's history that a player has won three years consecutively. Until now, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane had all won two in a row, but the Spaniard's win breaks new ground for United.

Following explosive events on deadline day back in August of last year, with United's much documented tug-of-war with Real Madrid, the 25-year-old stayed on in the Premier League and since then has played every single minute of this domestic campaign, keeping 14 clean sheets, with numerous Man of the Match performances.

David de Gea saved a Romeu Lukaku penalty in helping United to a Wembley final. | Image source: Getty Images
David de Gea saved a Romeu Lukaku penalty in helping United to a Wembley final. | Image source: Getty Images

De Gea outstanding candidate

In amongst what has been a relatively solid defensive unit - despite the rotation of full back personnel, throughout the term - de Gea stands out with his sheer shotstopping prowess. 

In particular this past month in United's FA Cup quarter-final victory over West Ham United, when the Spaniard pulled off the now obligatory string of saves, to help Louis van Gaal's side to Wembley, where they toplled Everton.

Earlier on in the evening, Marcos Rashford and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson won U18 and U21 Players of the Year after breaking into the first team and enjoying promising starts to their United careers. 

Chris Smalling won Players' Player of the Year for his outstanding performances in the heart of the United defence whilst Anthony Martial did not leave empty-handed, after winning Goal of the Season for his goal versus Liverpool, on his debut.

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About the author
Neil Leverett
33 year old writer living in London. Arsenal fan but all rounder, specializing in sporting analysis, in particular football.