Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia has been named the Players' Player of the Year.

The Ecuadorian winger received the highest number of votes cast within the first-team squad and he collected his prize from Sir Alex Ferguson in Monday night's glittering dinner at Old Trafford.

"It's great that they've put their trust in me," said Valencia on stage. "I'm very pleased that I have their support."

Asked to recap on a campaign which he joined late, having missed the summer tour, Valencia told manutd.com: "It was tough not being able to go away and do a proper pre-season with the lads. But as the season went on, I managed to pick up and my fitness improved and as a squad we've put in a good performance."