Safest Hands

MANCHESTER UNITED stars, WAGs and supporters gathered at Old Trafford to watch David De Gea win the Playersaï¿½ï¿½ Player of the Year award.

The Spaniard picked up the award for the third time aï¿½ï¿½ after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had tipped him to scoop the prize earlier in the night.

David De Gea scooped the top prize at Man Unitedaï¿½ï¿½s end of year awards.

Those in attendance were given the full red carpet treatment as they arrived at the Theatre of Dreams.

The current squad were also joined by a number of ex-United stars aï¿½ï¿½ while Zlatan delivered a video message from LA to his old team-mates.

And like many of the clubaï¿½ï¿½s supporters, the Swede backed De Gea for the gong after another outstanding campaign guarding the net.

Ibrahimovic said: aï¿½?Hi guys, I hope youaï¿½ï¿½re good. I see youaï¿½ï¿½re doing well. You made it to the (FA Cup) final, which I like a lot aï¿½ï¿½ even if Iaï¿½ï¿½m not there.

Alexis Sanchez gives the thumbs-up as he arrives at the bash.

aï¿½?Here everything is okay. I enjoy the sun every day and I think you guys also enjoy your weather.

aï¿½?I want to say to all the fans I miss you. I miss playing at Old Trafford, seeing all the red shirts, I have great memories from there.

aï¿½?I want to thank everybody for the push, the energy, the adrenaline you gave me.

aï¿½?I want to thank my team-mates also because they have been fantastic and you made it easy for me, especially the first year and even the second (albeit) from a different point of view.aï¿½?

He then had a message for Jose Mourinho, saying: aï¿½?Coach, I miss you also.

aï¿½?Youaï¿½ï¿½re doing well, you know what you need to do to win so there is no secret behind it and I hope you win the final.

aï¿½?I hope the mentality continues from the last year and I just want to make sure everything is all right and good but I can see it so Iaï¿½ï¿½m not worried.aï¿½?

And after revealing who he voted for, Ibrahimovic backed the Spanish shotstopper to emerge triumphant.

He added: aï¿½?My player of the year, I would say, David De Gea, even if a goalkeeper shouldnaï¿½ï¿½t get player of the year but he has had a fantastic year like all the other years and he continues that high level of performance so that is my vote so please keep going, take care and I wait for you guys in LA for the preparation. All the best Peace and love.aï¿½?

Michael Carrick, meanwhile, was given a special award for his service to Manchester United with his career at Old Trafford drawing to a close.

Elsewhere, Mourinho surprised everybody by presenting a Manageraï¿½ï¿½s Player of the Year award.

The recipient raised a few eyebrows also aï¿½ï¿½ 21-year-old Scott McTominay.

The Scottish international has enjoyed a fine breakthrough campaign and has been preferred in central midfield to club-record signing Paul Pogba on several occasions. .