Congratulations to Paul Pogba - the UEFA Europa League Player of the Season for 2016/17

POGBA WINS EUROPA LEAGUE PLAYER AWARD

Paul Pogba has won the UEFA Europa League Player of the Season award for 2016/17 after helping Manchester United win the trophy.

The French midfielder was awarded the inaugural prize at a ceremony in Monaco on Friday, having been chosen by a panel of judges that consisted of every manager who was involved in the group stage of the Europa League, plus 55 journalists.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were also shortlisted for their impressive contributions during United's journey to success in Stockholm, while Marcus Rashford finished fifth in the overall poll and Ander Herrera was joint-seventh.

"Thank you," said Pogba, who did not attend the ceremony but collected his award earlier this week. "I'm really honoured to be the first to win the best player for the UEFA Europa League. Hopefully this season will be as good as last season – let's see!"

Pogba started all 15 of United's games in the competition last term and scored three goals – netting twice in the 4-1 victory over Fenerbahce at Old Trafford in the group stages and opening the scoring in the 2-0 win over AFC Ajax in May's final.

The 24-year-old's inspirational performances were instrumental in Jose Mourinho's men winning the competition for the first time, completing the club's collection of major trophies in the process.

He was also one of eight United players named in UEFA's Europa League squad of the tournament, alongside Sergio Romero, Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Herrera, Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic.

Pogba has begun this season in explosive form with two goals in United's first two Premier League games and was named Man of the Match against Swansea City. He has also netted four times in his last five appearances for the Reds, ahead of Saturday's match against Leicester City at Old Trafford.