Chris Smalling has been named Manchester United’s Players’ Player of the Year for 2015-16.
The 26-year-old has been one of the key figures in United’s central defence, and has captained the side in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick this season.
And the England international has seen off competition from David De Gea and Daley Blind to win the award.
"It’s a massive honour to receive this from my fellow players. There are some big names on the winners' list, so it’s great to add mine to it,” Smalling said at Monday’s ceremony.
"It’s been good that we [Blind and myself] have been able to play so consistently together and learn each other’s game. We’ve been quite solid as a team defensively.
Huge honour to win this award @ManUtd #MUFCPOTY pic.twitter.com/DKR6lMctLB
— Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) May 2, 2016
"[The captaincy] is a huge honour and it’s great that the manager has shown faith in me. It’s nice that after Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney I get the chance. It really adds to your own sense of leadership.
"It’s nice to win this award tonight, but I’m looking forward to hopefully picking up another trophy at Wembley in a few weeks."
- Goal