Man. United Dominate PFA Award Lists

United's domination of the domestic season so far is further underlined by the PFA's shortlists for the Player and Young Player of the Year awards.

The Barclays Premier League leaders, Carling Cup winners and FA Cup semi-finalists occupy all but one of the nominations for the PFA Players' Player of the Year. There are five Reds in the running - goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and attacking midfielders Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo. The only opposition player on the six-strong shortlist is Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

One third of the PFA Players' Young Player of the Year nominees play for United - namely right-back Rafael and centre-back Jonny Evans. The other four contenders are Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young, Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland or Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon.

The news that so many Reds have been recognised by their fellow professionals can only boost confidence as United prepare to take on Porto in the Champions League quarter-final second leg. Hopefully most, if not all, of the seven short-listed players will be available for selection at Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday night, including Ferdinand who has missed the last three games with a groin injury.

Nominees for the PFA player of the year award:
Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Ryan Giggs (Man Utd)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd)
Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)

Nominees for the PFA young player of the year award:
Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
Rafael Da Silva (Man Utd)
Jonny Evans (Man Utd)
Stephen Ireland (Man City)
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)
Ashley Young (Aston Villa)