Rooney named best young player

Wayne Rooney has been named the PFA Young Player of the Year.

Wayne Rooney has been named the PFA Young Player of the Year for the second season in succession.

The Manchester United striker, still only 20, has had a terrific season, dazzling everyone with his huge repertoire of skills.

He has combined some eye-catching displays with a clinical cutting edge, netting 16 times in The Premiership alone, as well as weighing in with numerous assists.

Rooney has inspired Manchester United's late charge up the table, with the recent display against Arsenal one of his highlights, but has been the model of consistency throughout their campaign.

He has also starred for England, and has been tipped to take this summer's World Cup by storm.

The former Everton star was a hot favourite to land the gong, voted for by fellow professionals, but 18-year-old midfielder Cesc Fabregas also had his admirers after impressing for Arsenal, especially during their incredible run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

The other nominees were Rooney's Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, Charlton's Darren Bent, Aaron Lennon of Tottenham and Anton Ferdinand of West Ham, and the England star revealed his delight at retaining the prize.

"To win it twice on the run is a great honour and I am delighted with the award," said Rooney.

"As a team, we have done a bit better than last year, so it is an improvement.

"Hopefully we can continue that and I will be sitting here again next season."

Rooney also revealed that he had plumped for Spanish midfielder Fabregas, as well as his Arsenal colleague Thierry Henry in the senior award.

"I voted for Fabregas, but it was close between him and Darren Bent, who has been brilliant with all the goals he has scored for Charlton," Rooney added.

"But Fabregas has done really well for Arsenal - especially in the Champions League.

"I also voted for Thierry Henry, for the goals he has scored and the overall performance - the main thing is that he was doing it all in the Champions League as well."