• Premier League

Rio: RvP deserved 'flawed' PFA award

ESPN staff
May 8, 2013
Stevie Nicol believed that RvP and Suarez were better than Bale

Rio Ferdinand has told Manchester United's official website that Robin van Persie would have won the PFA Player of the Year award "by a country mile" but for a flawed voting system.

Gareth Bale claimed the award, as well as being named Young Player of the Year, after a stunning season with Tottenham Hotspur in which he has so far scored 20 league goals.

However, Ferdinand believes United striker Van Persie - currently the Premier League's top scorer, with 25 goals - was more deserving.

"The problem with the PFA awards is that the voting system is flawed," Ferdinand said. "There's so much technology at hand that you could do it over an iPad and just say 'bang, bang, bang' at the end of the season."

He cited the fact "it was voted for by the players in late February or March", during which time Van Persie endured a goal drought for his club. That came to an end on April 14, and he has since added another five goals to his tally, helping United clinch the Premier League title.

"Gareth Bale is a worthy winner, but for me it isn't a true reflection of the season," he added.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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