Player of the Year honour surprises Gerrard

Steven Gerrard claims he was surprised to be named Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association.

The England midfielder beat off competition from Manchester United's Ryan Giggs - the recently-crowned PFA Player of the Year - and Wayne Rooney.

He is the first Liverpool player since John Barnes in 1990 to claim the honour
I'm delighted but I'm a little bit surprised,' said the 28-year-old England international.

'When you look at the quality of the players there are in this league, it's a great privilege to win this kind of award.

'It's not just the Manchester United players. When you look at the players the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal and other teams have got, they all have fantastic players throughout their squads now.

'The quality is getting better and better each year so to win this award is a great achievement for myself.

'It's made even more special for me because I am following in the footsteps of Liverpool players like John Barnes, Steve Nicol and Kenny Dalglish who were heroes of mine.

'Then further back players like Ian Callaghan and Terry McDermott who were heroes to my dad and so many other Liverpool fans.'

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had nothing but praise for his captain, who has been the driving force behind their bid to challenge Manchester United for the Premier League title.

'I'm really pleased for Steven,' said the Spaniard.

'It is fantastic for him because he was competing with a lot of good players.

'For him to be named player of the year is massive credit to him and shows just how much he has achieved.'

Chairman of the FWA Steve Bates, chief football writer for The People, said: 'Steven's performances this season have been of the highest quality.

'His drive and desire have underpinned Liverpool's Premier League title challenge and ensured a tight finish to the season.

'Steven is clearly in his prime and quite rightly rated one of the finest midfield players of his generation, and the FWA are delighted to honor his contribution to club and country.'

Gerrard will receive the trophy at an Football Writers' Association gala dinner in London on May 29.

Tevez future in doubt as agent denies United have made fresh offer

Carlos Tevez seems increasingly likely to leave Manchester United this summer after his advisers denied Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that the striker has been made an offer to stay.

No sooner had Sir Alex Ferguson eulogised about Tevez's contribution to United's 2-1 win at Wigan last night, and revealed a contract offer had been put to the Argentine, than a statement was released on agent Kia Joorabchian's behalf insisting there was no deal.

'(Chief executive) David Gill has had a good meeting and I have spoken to him [Tevez]. We have given him an offer and we hope he accepts,' said Ferguson.

The fans love him because he is a trier. He has great skill, of course, but he never gives in and that is a great quality to have. He has a hunger to fight all the time. It is wonderful to see.

'The problem is we are not negotiating with a football club.'

In fact, United are dealing with Joorabchian, who was allowed to keep Tevez's registration at the start of a two-year loan period but must now relinquish it if the South American is to remain in the Premier League.

"'t is true David Gill came to see Mr Joorabchian and they had a cordial meeting,' said Joorabchian's spokesman.

'It is categorically untrue that Manchester United made an offer to try to persuade Carlos Tevez to stay at the club.

'In 2007 Manchester United agreed a two-year loan deal for Carlos Tevez and at the same time agreed the terms that would make the transfer permanent. They have not taken up that option.'

If no deal is agreed Tevez will be free to negotiate with any club willing to pay Joorabchian's rumoured £22million asking price.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Inter Milan and Real Madrid have all been linked with the former West Ham striker.

Wenger and Gunners are not in crisis, says Gazidis

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger can expect a grilling when he meets the club's shareholders today but his chief executive Ivan Gazidis insists the Gunners are not a club in crisis.

Wenger will attend a question-and-answer session with the shareholders following another trophy-less campaign but has been given the total support of Gazidis, who also insisted the Frenchman will take an open-minded approach to the make-up of his squad next season.

'I am not happy where we ended up but I am pleased we are disappointed by it,' Gazidis said. 'There are other clubs who would feel this is a good position. So why aren't we feeling great about it? The answer is because we have higher expectations.

'But this is not a situation where we should be over-reactive and feel that we are in crisis. We are not.

'We have a team with an average age of 23 or 24 that went to the Champions League semi-finals and is going to get better.'

Wenger has also faced criticism for his refusal to spend big money on established internationals - with the exception of Andrey Arshavin.

'He is not closed-minded,' added Gazidis. 'The idea Arsene Wenger is some stubborn guy who is not open to having his ideas challenged and there is nobody there who can say "listen we need someone with experience in the middle of the park or at the back", just isn't true.'

Emirates Stadium chiefs, meanwhile, have denied reports assistant manager Pat Rice will retire at the end of the season.

'He remains a key part of Arsene Wenger's backroom staff,' insisted a club spokesman.