Cristiano Ronaldo tonight became the first man since 1977 to win both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year Award in the same season when he was honoured at a gala dinner in London.
Not since Andy Gray scooped each of the coveted accolades 30 years ago has one
player dominated the voting of his fellow professionals in such fashion.
Ronaldo, 22, has been in awesome form for United, as the Red Devils remain on
course for a Barclays Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League treble.
The achievement is all the more remarkable considering the somewhat harsh
criticism the Portuguese winger received following England's demise at the World
Cup.
Ronaldo beat Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to the award, with United's former
England midfielder Paul Scholes third.
Ryan Giggs and last year's winner, Steven Gerrard, also made the shortlist,
alongside 19-year-old Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
Ronaldo said it was a 'big honour' to be singled out by his peers.
He said: 'It is a special night. It is amazing and a big honour for me to win
trophies like this in the English Premier League. I am very proud.
'My colleagues have voted for me and that is fantastic because the players
know the qualities of players.
'I want to keep working hard and getting better because these trophies have
now given me more motivation.
'At this moment, I am consistent. I am more mature now and I am playing
better.
'This great team has helped me as well, because when the team win it is more
easy for us all to play with more confidence.
'Everything is right this season and I am really enjoying it.
'I am still young and I am learning more every day.
'I have much time to learn more and improve myself.
'I try to improve all aspects of my football - not only in training but also
in games.'
Fabregas finished runner-up in the young player category as well, with
20-year-old Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon third.
Ronaldo's team-mate Wayne Rooney (21) was also shortlisted, as were Reading
striker Kevin Doyle, 23, and 18-year-old defender Micah Richards of Manchester
City.
It was Manchester United who took centre stage at the Grosvenor House hotel
this evening - with eight of their players making it into the Premier League
team of the year and manager Sir Alex Ferguson being honoured with the PFA
Special Merit Award.
Ronaldo said: 'This shows what quality we have at Manchester United.
'To have eight players in the team of the year is great.'
Ferguson paid tribute to his multi-talented young winger, who joined United
from Sporting Lisbon in a £12.2million deal during August 2003.
The United boss said: 'When we saw him play in a pre-season friendly for
Sporting against us, at half-time I knew we had to get him and I said to [then
chief executive] Peter Kenyon 'we are not leaving the stadium until we get the
boy'.
'At this moment in time, I think he is the best player in the world and his
season has been incredible.'
PFA Player and Young Player of the Year 2007 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester
United)
PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2007 - Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville,
Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra (all Man Utd); Ryan Giggs, Paul
Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo (all Man Utd) & Steven Gerrard (Liverpool); Didier
Drogba (Chelsea) & Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham)
Special Merit Award - Sir Alex Ferguson
