United Rant

Wayne Rooney has picked up the Football Writers Association (FWA) Player of the Year award. It is the striker’s third individual award inside a week after 34-goal Rooney also secured the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and PFA Fans’ Awards. With 80 per cent of the vote, Rooney beat both Didier Drogba in second and Carlos Tevez in third to the FWA gong.

“I am delighted to win an award with so much history and tradition,” said Rooney, who is sidelined with a groin injury.

“To follow a long line of wonderful players who have been honoured by the FWA since 1948 gives me real pride.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my manager at United Sir Alex Ferguson, the coaching staff and my team mates without whose help and support this award would not have been possible.”

Rooney, a notoriously quick healer, is likely to miss Manchester United’s trip to Sunderland this weekend, although the striker may return for his side’s final Premier League game against Stoke City on 9 May.