Ronaldo Wins Football Writers' Association Footballer Of The Year Award

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo has beaten Chelsea's Didier Drogba to the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award.

The 22-year-old Portugal international has already been named player of the year by his fellow professionals.

"Cristiano was a runaway winner, and deservedly so," said Paul Hetherington, chairman of the FWA.

Ronaldo's team-mates Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were third and fourth respectively in the vote.

Ronaldo has been in spectacular form for United, who remain on course for a Premiership and FA Cup double.

He faced a backlash at the start of the season after his involvement in Wayne Rooney's sending-off against Portugal at the World Cup.

Hetherington added: "After the events of last summer at the World Cup, the vote of the Football Writers' Association shows that what we are all interested in is honouring the best player in the country.

"There has been no agendas carried over from last summer."