Although the Portugal winger was outstanding during the first half of the campaign, Antonio Valencia's return has shunted him out of the limelight to an extent where he is not expected to be in Ferguson's Champions League final starting line-up when United take on Barcelona at Wembley on May 28.

However, a huge number of assists, coupled with his 10 goals in all competitions, earned Nani the prize, ahead of equally plausible candidates such as retiring goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

"Nani has had a great season," said Ferguson.

"The maturity is starting to show and he has made a great contribution for a winger.

"The other players have recognised his development. There is a genuine feeling in the dressing room that Nani is emerging as a really top player.

"Edwin has achieved everything anyway, so maybe that is why the players gave it to Nani."

Instead, Van der Sar will get the captain's armband when United tackle relegation-treatened Blackpool at Old Trafford.

Despite extensive efforts to change the veteran Dutchman's mind, it has now been accepted Van der Sar will leave after the Barcelona game, which will be his fifth Champions League final.

Van der Sar has been a superb acquisition since his arrival from Fulham six years ago, proving Ferguson was wrong to let him slip through his fingers when Peter Schmeichel quit in 1999.

Now the 40-year-old will be given the captain's armband on Sunday, a fitting tribute to an outstanding career.

"He has been fantastic. Absolutely sensational," said Ferguson.

"Edwin's professionalism and dedication have been fabulous.

"A goalkeeper's training is completely different from an outfield player. It involves diving about the goalmouth all the time, saving shots and blocks.

"It is hard to imagine a normal person being able to do that when they were over 40. But he is special. He has something inside him.

"Some people have a certain quality that involves them needing to be a winner all the time. That is what Edwin has been.

"He has had a great career. He has won four tiles with us, Wembley will be his fifth European Cup final and he has more caps than anyone else in Holland.

"It has been a fantastic career and he is going out at the very top."