Source: Daily_Mail
HATCHET MAN: Sorry United, but Gerrard really is the outstanding player of the season
When it comes to the player of the year awards, it is the football writers and not the players who have got it right this year.
The PFA gong halfway through the season may have brought more silverware for Ryan Giggs but the Football Writers' Association's choice of Steven Gerrard is the one which makes sense.
Hands up who's best: Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard
Giggs has had a good season, and it is all the more impressive because he will celebrate his 36th birthday later this year, but the Liverpool captain has been the standout player.
Wayne Rooney deserved to run him close but Manchester United team-mates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick, all among the runners-up, have not had great individual seasons.
Ronaldo has had his moments lately, but they have all been good as part of an impressive team unit rather than consistently exceptional. They have been chosen because United are in the running for so many trophies.
Gerrard has dragged Liverpool to another level almost single handedly.
Freed from the tactical restrictions of a straight midfield role and flourishing further forward, he has scored 15 Premier League goals and without him and Fernando Torres, Rafa Benitez's side struggle.
Carrying that weight on your shoulders and still performing makes him THE player of the year, no matter how many winner's medals the United boys collect.
