The Busby Babe awards: Manchester United young player of the season

When you consider the transfer fee rumors that are floating around this summer, and even during the past January transfer window, Manchester United should be charged with theft after their bargain signings last summer for Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Chris Smalling. Both youngsters acclimated themselves well at the club and without either one of them, it could be argued that United would not have won title number 19. Who do you think deserves the prestigious (don't laugh) honor of The Busby Babe's young player of the season?!

* Chicharito: Not much more can be said about the young Mexican striker that hasn't already - his meteoric rise has been an amazing tale. In his debut season in the Premier League, the "little green pea" bagged an outstanding 21 goals in all competitions during 46 appearances - only 27 of those were starts. By season's end, Chicharito had surpassed golden boot winner Dimitar Berbatov as the first-choice striker to pair with Wayne Rooney - the two quickly formed a formidable partnership, one that was quite essential for United's success run-in. It's not just striker's finishing ability that is exceptional, it's also his intelligent movement that helps create space for United's other attackers.

* Chris Smalling: If one would have portended prior to the season that Rio Ferdinand would have missed a significant portion of the season, many might have said we would have been in capable hands still with a competent young center-back - but the center-back they may have been referring to was Jonny Evans. Instead, it was Smalling that admirably deputised and many felt there was not much of a drop-off in his play, if any, when compared to the outstanding Ferdinand. Like the man he was replacing, the youngster displayed calmness, tidy distribution from the back, and reliable ability in the air. Smalling made 23 starts in all competitions, 33 appearances in all, and without them, United may not be the champions of England or UEFA Champions League finalists.

See the picks of the writers here at TBB after the jump...

* CPC: Smalling

* Gene: Chicharito

* nolefansam: Smalling