Carrick is crowned United's player's player of the year.

The best: Carrick was awarded Player of the Season despite tough competition

Michael Carrick has been named Manchester United's Players' Player of the Year as the Premier League champions continued to celebrate their title-winning season. The midfielder has excelled at Old Trafford during what proved to be Sir Alex Ferguson's final campaign.

And he was given the nod on Wednesday ahead of Robin van Persie who also missed out on the Football Writers' and PFA Player of the Year awards to Gareth Bale.

The Dutch striker did at least pick up the Fans' Player of the Year gong as well as Goal of the Season for his strike against Aston Villa.

Fans choice: Van Persie was voted by the fans as Player of the Season, having scored 25 league goals

Line-up: Robin van Persie is presented with the Sir Matt Busby Fans' Player of the Year as' Player of the Year: Robin Van Persie

Meanwhile, Ferguson admitted he was desperate 'to go out a winner' after being beaten to the Barclays Premier League title by rivals Manchester City last year.

The Manchester United manager, who retires after 26 years of unprecedented success at Old Trafford, explained how important it was to him to leave his post with the club back on top of the pile. Ferguson and his players celebrated yet again on Wednesday night at the club's annual Player of the Year awards.

Speaking on stage, Ferguson told MUTV: 'That was an issue when (wife) Cathy and I chatted about this at Christmas. At that point we had a five-point lead and I thought we had a great chance.

'I said "I really need to go out a winner. We need to win something". After the disappointment of last season we couldn't take a second one. I was hopeful we'd win it and we did.

'We had a terrific points lead. The problem is when you have a lead and you start to lose a point. When we lost to City in the Monday night game you start to think "Christ, you can't throw this away".

Speech: Ferguson talks to Jim Rosenthal as he looks ahead to his final match in charge

One last team talk? Sir Alex Ferguson speaks to Patrice Evra, Anderson and Antonio Valencia

All smiles: Ferguson greets his striker Robin Van Persie as the two share a laugh before the awards

                           
The silverware may have been sewn up already, but Ferguson has no interest in signing off with defeat.

'We need to win the game on Sunday,' he added. We won the last home game (against Swansea) and I don't want to lose my last game, that's for sure.'

Ferguson was instrumental in the decision to appoint Everton manager David Moyes as his successor and he explained why he felt his fellow Scot was the man for the job.

United may have known plenty of success in recent seasons, but Ferguson feels the ability to deal with adversity could be crucial for Moyes.

'What I know of David is he's hard working, there's an integrity about him, he's got a work ethic about him and he's a serious football man.

'These are qualities he's going to need. If you look at what he's done at Everton for instance.

Honours: Adnan Januzaj was Young Player of the Year (above) while Ben Pearson took the Academy award

                           

                              

                             

Single file: Wayne Rooney (centre) arrives at the dinner but will he be at United next season?

                                  

                                  

                                   

                                   

                                   

                                   


'Eleven years without real financial backing, but he persevered and created some decent teams in the last few years. One thing you have to do here is sacrifice and persevere. It's not always a golden path of riches.

'There are hard days, there are difficult days, there are bad losses. Our supporters have suffered many things but they've also enjoyed many things.'

United's chief executive David Gill is also departing at the end of the season, but he is content that the foundations being taken over by Moyes are built for success.

'It will be strange (when Ferguson leaves) but we've got the infrastructure there,' he told MUTV.

'We have very good staff off and on the field. It'll be strange but David Moyes coming in will know he's got a rock-solid club, a club that has just won the Premier League by a big points margin.'

                           

                          

Living legend: Giggs has outlasted his manager as he continues to perform at the highest level for United

                             

                             

Meeting of minds: Rafael speaks to Patrice Evra, Anderson and Antonio Valencia at the awards ceremony

                             

Star turns: Actress Shobna Gulati (up) and singer Simon Le Bon (down) also turned up for a night of celebration