By CHARLIE WYETT
ARSENE WENGER snubbed Arsenal old-boy Robin van Persie by insisting: Michael Carrick should be Player of the Year.
The Gunners boss said: “I would give it to Carrick. He could play in Barcelona as he would be perfectly suited to their game.
“He has good vision and is an intelligent player and it is for what he has achieved in his career.”
Van Persie’s 24 Premier League goals in 31 starts have powered Manchester United to the title following his £22million move from Arsenal last summer.
And the Dutch striker, 29, is now likely to receive a hostile reception when he returns to the Emirates as a champion with United tomorrow.
But Wenger says it is RVP’s United team-mate Carrick, 31, who should be picking up the end-of-season PFA gong.
He added: “Robin stayed for a while without scoring. The vote happened during that period so that could go against him.
“Suarez has bitten into his reward! You also have Gareth Bale but I think Carrick is an under-rated player in England.
“Sometimes not only should the goalscorer be rewarded but the real players in the heart of the game. Carrick deserves it.
“I would choose Carrick as Robin had it last season. Give it to somebody different. He is a quality passer.”
Wenger also maintains he has no problem with his players giving United’s champions a guard of honour before tomorrow’s clash in North London.
The Gunners manager added: “In life it is about ‘Do as well as you can — and if someone is stronger than you, then respect him’.
“It is not easy. But I am proud to work in England where the culture is to respect the winners.”
MANCHESTER UNITED SUPPORTERS TRUST (MUST) has lodged an application to be given the chance to buy Old Trafford should the stadium ever be put up for sale.
There is no suggestion United’s owners, the Glazers, are looking to sell.
But that has not stopped MUST submitting a nomination to Trafford Council for the ground to be registered as an ‘Asset of Community Value’.
MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo said: “A listing reduces the chances Old Trafford could be secretly sold off and worse still United move to a new location.
“We don’t have any reason to assume the Glazers have any plans to sell. If that is the case, they should have no reason to oppose this application.”
