Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney
has been named Barclays Player of the Season.
The award is further recognition for the 24-year-old's
outstanding campaign after scooping the Professional Footballers'
Association and Football Writers' prizes last month.
Rooney scored 26 goals in 32 Barclays Premier League
appearances, easily surpassing his previous best tally of 16, to
help sustain United's title challenge until the final day of the
season.
Rooney, despite a fitness scare after suffering a groin injury
against Stoke on Sunday, is now expected to lead the England line
at the World Cup in South Africa this summer.
Manager Fabio Capello is due to name his provisional 30-man
squad for the tournament on Tuesday.
Rooney's latest award comes after it was revealed last week
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp had been made Barclays Manager of the
Season.
Redknapp was recognised for his achievement in leading Spurs to
a top-four finish.
The decisions were made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which
includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the
media and fans.