Ryan Giggs and wife Stacey arrive for the 2011 Red Flag Flying High awards ceremony at Lammars Restaurant and Bar, Manchester.
What a year this has been for Manchester United Football Club. Highs, lows, departures, arrivals and fond farewells, along with a very special anniversary. Welcome to the inaugural, prestigious Red Flag Flying High Awards.
Team of the Year
Goalkeeper: Edwin Van der Sar
Despite his sad summer departure, Edwin is undoubtedly United’s goalkeeper of the year, playing a crucial part in title number 19 and a run to the Champions League final.
Left-back: Patrice Evra
A fine left-back he clearly is, but 2011 has not been a fantastic year for Patrice Evra, with erratic form that has seen him play fantastically well one week and then ordinarily the next. Evra has to occupy this position however, as he has played the great majority of games this year for the club in this position.
Centre-back: Rio Ferdinand
A top-class defender when on form, and despite a stop start year, Rio is still clearly worthy of a place in this team.
Centre-back: Nemanja Vidic
The best centre-back in the world when fit and on form, Nemanja has had a good year, lifting title number 19.
Right-back: Chris Smalling
A player who has been crucial for Manchester United this year, sometimes playing at right-back, sometimes centre-back, Smalling is more than deserving of holding the right-back position in this team.
Left midfield: Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs has once again shown his evergreen nature, proving his enduring worth in 2011 with a series of assured displays both on the wing and in central midfield.
Centre midfield: Phil Jones
I understand that Jones has not played a great deal in this position for United, but I feel that his form during the first half of this season more than merited a place in the team of the year.
Centre midfield: Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick has been a key player for the club this year, despite the criticism he invariably attracts from fans. He was a regular starter in the title run in of last season, as well as the run to the Champions League final, and has again established himself as a crucial part of the team.
Right midfield: Luis Nani
Now an integral part of the United side, Nani is a key creative force, assisting and scoring with regularity.
Striker: Wayne Rooney
Despite poor form near the start of the year, that goal against City in February proved to be a turning point for Rooney, whose stunning form towards the end of last season was bettered by his blistering start to this.
Striker: Javier Hernandez
The “Little Pea” is now firmly a fans’ favourite, with his goals in the first half of the year vital. Despite a relatively slow start to this season, his form in the first half of 2011 earns him his place in the team.