Cristiano Ronaldo has sent an emphatic message thanking fans for their support throughout a "very difficult" campaign after they voted him Manchester United Player of the Season.
The 37-year-old was awarded with the now-named Sir Matt Busby award after scoring 24 goals in 38 games across all competitions for United last season. He also finished as the third-highest scorer in the Premier League (18), behind only Son Heung-min and Mohamed Salah, who netted 23 each.
As the Red Devils finished with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally and performed pretty miserably over the course of the campaign, Ronaldo was one of few players to come away from the season with any kind of credit at all. United finished with 58 points from their 38 games and will play in the Europa League next season, narrowly pipping West Ham to the top six on the final day.
Ronaldo also won the club's Goal of the Season award for his strike against Tottenham. Fred's pass found the forward just outside the box and he opened up his body before firing the ball beyond Hugo Lloris and into the top corner. That was the first of three goals for Ronaldo on the day as his hat-trick helped United to a 3-2 win.
Reflecting to his latest accolades on Instagram, Ronaldo said: "Thanks to all the fans who voted for me. I couldn’t be more proud of winning the Sir Matt Busby Award in my comeback year to Old Trafford and to the Premier League.
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"This award goes to all the supporters who’ve never let us down during a very difficult season. Thank you so much for always being on our side and for helping us get Man. United back on track. We know we can count on you."
Ronaldo is expected to stay at United for the 2022/23 season with Erik ten Hag confirming that he plans to utilise the experienced striker in his side next term. Elsewhere, the Red Devils could be in line for a busy summer transfer window with Ten Hag ready to stamp his authority on the squad.
Frenkie de Jong has been linked with a move to United to bolster their midfield options, while Victor Osimhen and Darwin Nunez continue to be tipped to join the Old Trafford club. Meanwhile, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani will all leave at the expiry of their contracts at the end of June.
