Rooney Up For PFA Double

Wayne Rooney's remarkable season has been duly recognised by his peers in the Professional Football Association, who've nominated him for two awards.

The United striker is on the shortlist for both the PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year accolades after plundering 26 league goals so far in a campaign that could yet yield a fourth consecutive league title.

He's joined on the senior list by ex-colleague Carlos Tevez, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Chelsea's Didier Drogba, Rooney's main rival for the top scorer's Golden Boot prize.

Rooney's Young Player of the Year nomination may surprise some people, given his length of service in the top flight, but he qualifies by virtue of being 23 or under at the start of the 2009/10 season. The other young nominees are Fabregas, Aston Villa midfielder James Milner and Joe Hart, the Man City keeper who's impressed on loan at Birmingham.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor says, "Wayne has been absolutely phenomenal. In his new role this season, he has created even more havoc for opposition defences.

"When Cristiano Ronaldo was at United, he played more of a supporting role, but as the number one striker and goalscorer, Wayne is now one of the best in the world, not just in this country. He has always been prepared to work at all aspects of his game, and this season in particular, the improvement in his heading ability has been there for all to see."