By Chris,
March 31 2008
Manchester United has been one of Europe’s most successful clubs when it comes to individual player awards. The club has boasted talent that has picked up prestigious accolades such as the Ballon d’Or, the Football Writers’ Footballer of the Year and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. ManUtdWeb looks back at United's award winners from all of the recognised organisations.
Ballon d'Or
Arguably the most prestigious award in world football, the Ballon d'Or was established in 1956 by French football magazine 'France Football'. It is awarded to the player who is said to have performed the best over the course of the season and is often referred to as the European Football of the Year award.
Until 1995, the award was only on offer to European players, whilst prior to 2007 players had to be at a club within Uefa's jurisdiction. However, the award can now be given to any player regardless of their club, league or nationality.
Winners:
1968: George Best
1966: Bobby Charlton
1964: Denis Law
2nd place:
2007: Cristiano Ronaldo
1999: David Beckham
1968: Bobby Charlton
1967: Bobby Charlton
3rd place:
1993: Eric Cantona
1971: George Best
PFA Awards
The Professional Footballers' Association give out annual awards to the player considered to have enjoyed the best season in English football.
As the award is selected by fellow professionals, players have considered it as a highly prestigious accolade.
PFA Players' Player of the Year:
2007: Cristiano Ronaldo
2002: Ruud Van Nistelrooy
2001: Teddy Sheringham
2000: Roy Keane
1994: Eric Cantona
1992: Gary Pallister
1991: Mark Hughes
1989: Mark Hughes
PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Year:
Since 2001, fans have been given the chance to vote on a shortlist of players from each of the four divisions; selected by the PFA.
2007: Cristiano Ronaldo
2006: Wayne Rooney
2002: Ruud Van Nistelrooy
PFA Young Player of the Year (Under-23:)
2007: Cristiano Ronaldo
2006: Wayne Rooney
2005: Wayne Rooney
1997: David Beckham
1993: Ryan Giggs
1992: Ryan Giggs
1991: Lee Sharpe
1985: Mark Hughes
FWA Footballer of the Year:
The Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year is given to the player considered to have performed the best and most consistently over the season. It was first given out in 1948 and is selected by the sport's top journalists from across England.
2007: Cristiano Ronaldo
2001: Teddy Sheringham
2000: Roy Keane
1996: Eric Cantona
1968: George Best
1966: Bobby Charlton
1949: John Carey
FIFA World Player of the Year
The official FIFA award, selections are made by the managers and captains of international teams.
Those eligible to vote are given three votes - one worth five points, one worth three points and one worth a single point - and whichever players collects the most points is declared the winner.
2nd place:
2001: David Beckham
1999: David Beckham
3rd place:
2007: Cristiano Ronaldo
Uefa Club Awards:
Since 1998, Uefa has given annual awards to the best players from a club within its jurisdiction. These include the player of the year, goalkeeper of the year, defender of the year and forward of the year.
The awards were traditionally given out at a special gala in Monaco before the European Super Cup match. However, since 2005, they have been presented at the draw for the group stages of the Uefa Champions League.
Club Footballer of the Year:
1999: David Beckham
Goalkeeper of the Year:
1997: Peter Schmeichel
Defender of the Year:
1999: Jaap Stam
2000: Jaap Stam
Midfielder of the Year:
1999: David Beckham
Forward of the Year:
2003: Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Manager of the Year:
1999: Sir Alex Ferguson
FifPro Awards
The Fédération International de Footballeurs Professionels is a representative organisation for football players from around the world.
In 2005, the organisation established its own awards ceremony where the world's top player, young player and world XI would be decided.
FifPro Young Player of the Year:
2005: Wayne Rooney
FifPro Special Young Player of the Year:
Fans also get the opportunity to vote for their young player of the year.
2005: Cristiano Ronaldo
World Soccer Magazine Player of the Year
Since 1985, World Soccer Magazine has handed out annual player, manager and team of the year awards. Readers are given the opportunity to vote for their selection.
Manager of the Year:
2007: Alex Ferguson
1999: Alex Ferguson
1993: Alex Ferguson
Team of the Year:
1999: Manchester United
Meanwhile, eight former Manchester United players were included in World Soccer Magazine's 100 Greatest Players of the 20th Century:
George Best (8th), Bobby Charlton (11th), Eric Cantona (24th), Peter Schmeichel (41st), Duncan Edwards (46th), David Beckham (49th), Ryan Giggs (85th) and Bryan Robson (93rd).
Onze d'Or
The Onze d'Or is a prestigious football award handed out annually by French magazine Onze Mondial. It started in 1976.
Readers select a European Team of the Year and then, from that shortlist of eleven players, select their top three players who are eligible for the gold, silver and bronze awards respectively.
Onze d'Or:
1996: Eric Cantona
Onze d'argent:
1999: David Beckham
2007: Cristiano Ronaldo
Onze de Bronze:
2003: David Beckham
Manager of the Year:
1999: Alex Ferguson
2007: Alex Ferguson
F.A Premier League Manager of the Year:
1994: Alex Ferguson
1996: Alex Ferguson
1997: Alex Ferguson
1999: Alex Ferguson
2000: Alex Ferguson
2003: Alex Ferguson
2007: Alex Ferguson
IFFHS Awards
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics is a popular organization which collates football history. It was founded in 1984 and now gives out a series of annual football awards.
Best Club Manager of the Year:
1999: Alex Ferguson
Best European in the World:
1992: Peter Schmeichel
1993: Peter Schmeichel
Bravo Award
Chosen by Italian sports magazine Guerin' Sportivo, the Bravo Award is given to the most outstanding young player in Europe.
From 1978 to 1992, the award was given to the best under-23 player participating in one of the three European club cups. Since then, it has been available to any under-21 player from any European League.
1993: Ryan Giggs
2004: Cristiano Ronaldo
World Sports Net's World Football Awards
In 2007, World Sports Net teamed up with the International Sports Press Association to hand out a series of awards for outstanding achievement. Members of the AIPS are in charge of the nomination and voting process.
Manager of the Year:
2007: Sir Alex Ferguson
Match of the Day's Goal of the Season:
Chosen by viewers and a panel on BBC's MOTD.
1998/1999: Ryan Giggs v. Arsenal, F.A Cup Semi-Final (April 1999)2004/2005: Wayne Rooney v. Middlesbrough, F.A Cup Fourth Round (January 2005)
2006/2007: Wayne Rooney v. Bolton, Premier League (March 2007)