| Manchester United’s Paul Pogba celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League
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Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was named UEFA Europa League Player of the Season 2016-17, beating teammates Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the prize, European football’s governing body announced in Monaco on Friday.
Pogba, who rejoined United from Juventus last year, started all 15 games and scored three times in Europe’s second-tier competition to help United lift the trophy for the first time in May.
“I am very happy to be the first one to win the UEFA Europa League Player of the Season award,” the 24-year-old said in a statement.
“Hopefully, the new season will be as successful as the last one for both me and my club. Thank you so much.”
The winner of the inaugural prize was chosen by a panel of 48 coaches of the clubs that participated in the Europa League group stage last season and 55 journalists selected by the European Sports Media (ESM) group.