London, April 23:

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo won two Player of the Year (PoY) awards voted for by his fellow Premier League players on Sunday.

Ronaldo won the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) player of the year and young player of the year award in London. He is the first man since Aston Villa striker Andy Gray in 1977 to win both awards in the same season.

Ronaldo beat Chelsea striker Didier Drogba for the honor, with United teammate Paul Scholes finishing third. The other contenders were United winger Ryan Giggs, Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas. “It is a special night,” Ronaldo said. “It is amazing and a big honor for to win trophies like this. I am very proud. My colleagues have voted for me and that is fantastic because the players know the qualities of players.”

The 22-year-old Portugal international has been a key member of United’s side this season as it bids to repeat its 1999 treble of English Premier League, European Champions League and English FA Cup trophies. Ronaldo is the first United player to win the senior award since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2002. Rooney has won the young player of the year award the past two seasons.