Players Honour Carrick

Michael Carrick has been crowned the Players' Player of the Year at the club's annual awards ceremony.

The midfielder has excelled this term, prompting Sir Alex Ferguson to describe this season as Carrick's "best ever for Manchester United."

Every member of the first team squad was asked to vote for their star man of the campaign and they unanimously voted Carrick as their Player of the Year.

"Obviously this means an awful lot," explained the England international. "I work with the lads every day and train every day. We’ve got an unbelievable team spirit and players from all over the world come and fit in and make a real effort to fit in. For them to give me the vote for this means an awful lot. It really is special for me."

The desire to win back the title from Manchester City was clearly evident throughout the successful campaign.

"We had to win it," he emphasised. "Last year was hard to take for everyone, especially with it going to that lot over the road. It was tough and we always wanted to bounce back. I’m proud of the boys but it all comes from the manager. You don’t just play for this club – you live for this club once you’re here. The manager drives home the work ethic and always tells us don’t be afraid to work hard and enjoy yourself. That’s what we do."

Even if Carrick feels he wasn't at his best against Swansea, he thinks it was fitting that Rio Ferdinand's late goal ensured Sir Alex's final game in charge at Old Trafford was a winning one.

"I'll be honest," he replied, when asked about his impressive consistency. "The Swansea game on Sunday was a big blip. I didn’t feel too good. I think I’d done too much celebrating in the last couple of weeks as you can tell in my voice as well!

"The lads were gutted when the boss told us he was leaving and it was hard to take but we’ve moved on and sent him off in the right way."