Rooney Nets Writers' Player Of The Year Award

Wayne Rooney has picked up his second individual award of the season after being voted Football Writers' Association footballer of the year.

The Manchester United striker polled 80% of the vote, with Didier Drogba a distant second and Carlos Tevez third.

"I am delighted to win an award with so much history and tradition," he said.

The 24-year-old, who has scored 34 goals this season, was named player of the year by the Professional Footballers' Association on Sunday.

The Football Writers award makes it a hat-trick of awards for the England international this season after he was also named the Premier League's fans' player of the season this week.

"To follow a long line of wonderful players who have been honoured by the FWA since 1948 gives me real pride," added Rooney.

"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."

Ferguson said Rooney's double success came as no surprise to him.

"It was a foregone conclusion," he said.

"I thought he would win both awards and deservedly so because he has elevated himself to a tremendous level now.

"He has brought maturity and authority to his game. It usually starts to show itself when young players move into their mid-20s and that is the case with Wayne now."

Rooney has shone at Old Trafford this season following the high-profile departures of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid and Tevez to Manchester City.

The forward has played in a more advanced role than in previous seasons and has become hugely prolific in the air.

FWA chairman Steve Bates said on announcing the award: "Wayne is a worthy winner of our prestigious award and the margin of his victory is testimony to the marvellous season he has had for club and country.

"His tally of 34 goals so far this season is certain to have captured the attention of our members but I am sure the overall improvement in his game at Manchester United has been of equal significance.

"Wayne's enthusiasm, hunger and desire mark him out as a special player and we hope he can carry his club form on to the international stage in the World Cup this summer and help England achieve their dream."

Rooney is currently sidelined with a groin injury picked up in training, after having overcome ankle ligament damage sustained during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.

However, he has insisted he will be fit for the World Cup in South Africa and retains hopes of playing in United's last league game, at home to Stoke.

The Red Devils currently trail league-leaders Chelsea by a point with two games to play.

Chelsea striker Drogba has enjoyed another prolific season with Chelsea, scoring 32 goals in all competitions, while Tevez has netted 28 times in his debut season at Manchester City.