Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year, which means United has won it's fourth consecutive award (Cristiano Ronaldo 2007, 2008, Ryan Giggs, 2009, Wayne Rooney, 2010).
Rooney beat out fellow shortlisters, Didier Drogba (C-Club), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), and the Troll (Other "club" in Manchester).
The Reds no.10 started the 2009/10 campaign by scoring seven goals in eight games, and he hasn't looked back. His best spell came between the end of November and March, scoring an astonishing 25 goals in 23 games.
"It's great to win the player of the year award because it's voted on by the players," said Rooney. "It's something I'm real proud of and it's a great honour."
"I remember coming here in 2005 and 2006 to win the young player of the year. I saw the players winning the main one and it's something I've aimed for since."
Rooney, the first Englishman to win the award since Steven Gerrard in 2006, paid tribute to the influence United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had on his career.
"Sir Alex is a great manager and has really brought me on as a player since I joined United. His hunger passes on to the players. It's great to see that he's pushing 70 and hasn't changed a bit. I'm sure he'll be here for a long time yet."
Wayne Rooney admitted this has been his finest campaign in a United shirt yet. But the modest Reds front man says he couldn't have done it without his team-mates...
On a personal level, has this been your best season so far?
Yeah, I think so. I’ve scored a lot of goals this season and I think overall my play has been good. It’s definitely been my most prolific season in front of goal and I’m pleased with the way things have gone. But it would complete it all if we could clinch the title.
Who did you vote for as PFA Player of the Year?
I voted for Didier Drogba for the senior award and Cesc Fabregas for young player. To be honest, I was very surprised I was up for the young player award too – I think I won it about eight years ago, didn’t I? [Smiles] So I was a bit shocked to be up for it again this year.
How much do you owe to your team-mates as well – particularly someone like Antonio Valencia?
Of course, as a forward player you rely on the support and service of your team-mates. Without the support of people like Antonio, I wouldn’t be scoring goals. A lot of what I think I’ve achieved personally this season is down to that support from my team-mates.
You’ve linked up very well with Valencia. What is it you enjoy about playing alongside him?
He’s very physical, he’s quick and a strong player. He’s scored a few goals himself this season and he has the ability to create goals with his movement and his crossing, which obviously I’ve benefited from. He reminds me a lot of Andrei Kanchelskis who was here a few years ago. They’re both very traditional wingers, and I like that. Antonio has settled in very quickly and he’s had a good first year at the club which hopefully he can build on.
At the ceremony the Premier League Team of the Year was also named. Four United players made the year's starting XI. The team:
Keeper: Joe Hart (Brum)
Back four: Ivanovic (C-Club), Vermaelen (Arsenal, Dunne (A. Villa), PATRICE EVRA (United)
Midfield: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), James Milner (A. Villa), DARREN FLETCHER, (United), ANTONIO VALENCIA (United)
Forwards: WAYNE ROONEY (United), Didier Drogba (C-Club)
Perennial Left Back, Patrice Evra
Midfield workhorse, Darren Fletcher
United's midfield spark, Antonio Valencia
And PFA Player of the Year Wayne Rooney showing what he does best!
So proud of my Reds!
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