Another 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."

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.

The poll that elected Rooney as FWA player of the year was the largest ever recorded in the organisation's history.

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.