Ruud Wins PFA Prize

van Nistelrooy in action

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year Award by his fellow professionals. The Dutch striker who has scored thirty-three times for Manchester United this season, his first season in England finished ahead of the Arsenal duo Thierry Henry and Robert Pires. Pires had been favourite to pick up the accolade.

In winning the award Ruud completed a unique United treble. It is the third season running that the award has gone to a Manchester United player, Teddy Sheringham won it in 2000-01 whilst it was Roy Keane in 1999-2000.

Van Nistelrooy was delighted to have received such an accolade and he told reporters: "This is the proudest moment so far in my career. I have been voted by the players of the Premier League and that is the best league in Europe at the moment.

"Playing for Manchester United is a fantastic feeling but then again so is just playing because when I was injured there were doubts I would play again."

Meanwhile Newcastle's Craig Bellamy collected the PFA's Young Player of the Year Prize. After moving from relegated Coventry for £6 million last season the Welshman has enjoyed an explosive partnership with former England international Alan Shearer. Bellamy finished ahead of Bolton's Michael Ricketts and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.