Arsene:
Sir 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.
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 earlier in his career but
the youngster has put all that behind him this term, with some
stellar performances that have outshone Brazilian duo Robinho and
Elano.
Wenger faces a defensive crisis ahead of tonight’s Champions
League quarter-final clash with Villarreal. Manuel Almunia, William
Gallas, Gael Clichy and Johan Djourou are injured as Arsenal defend
a 1-1 draw from the first leg. And worried Wenger admitted: “We
don’t need a manager to select our defence for this game because
the defence picks itself.”
