Jose Mourinho hails award-winning David de Gea

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to David de Gea after the Spanish goalkeeper was named the club's Player of the Year for a record-breaking fourth time.

De Gea had been level with Cristiano Ronaldo on three wins, but moved out on his own when he landed the award at the club's awards evening on Tuesday night.

The Spain international has again been in outstanding form for the Red Devils this season - keeping 21 clean sheets in 43 appearances in all competitions.

Mourinho has claimed he is 'surprised' that there are few goalkeepers that land the top awards, but admitted that the presence of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the world stage makes that difficult.

"That's good. It's quite surprising, although not so surprising because Ronaldo, Messi. Messi, Ronaldo don't give many chances but is quite surprising in the big international awards there is never a goalkeeper on them as goalkeepers are fundamental in teams," Mourinho told reporters.

"David is having a very good season in the club and I don't see it as a problem and looking to this season there were a few other players that wouldn't be a bad choice to get the award but David was very consistent, he had some almost iconic saves because they were so fantastic and beautiful, so I feel good with it."

De Gea has managed 17 clean sheets in 35 Premier League appearances this season.