Ronaldo does the double

Cristano Ronaldo became the first player for 30 years to win both the PFA Young Player of the Year and the Players Player of the Year Awards in same year when he was honoured at last night's centenary gala dinner at the Grosvenor Hotel, London.  The Portuguese winger was widely tipped to take the main award following his remarkable season but he matched Andy Gray's achievement of 1977 by scooping both trophies.

The 22-year-old has been in awesome form for Sir Alex Ferguson's side this term, scoring 21 goals, and he remains on course for a Premiership, FA Cup and Champions League treble. Ronaldo beat Chelsea striker Didier Drogba to the award with United teammate Paul Scholes coming in third, and givemefootball's Mark Shail was on hand to get the exclusive, first interview with Ronaldo after he received both awards.

THIS MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT FOR YOU?

Yes it has. I spoke to someone recently and they told me that only one player had ever won both trophies before so of course I'm very happy. This is a really big honour and I want to keep working hard at my game because winning trophies like this gives me even more motivation.

HAS THIS BEEN THE BEST SEASON OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

Yes, at this moment I'm more confident, more mature, and I feel I'm playing better, and my teammates have helped me as well. When the team are playing well it's easier for me to play well. I think everything is right here at Manchester United and I'm enjoying my football.

IS THERE EVEN MORE TO COME FROM YOU AS A PLAYER?

I'm still young and I am learning all the time. There is plenty of time for me to learn even more and improve myself as a player. Of course winning trophies like these are very important and they give me the inspiration to want to do even better in my career.

WHY DO YOU THINK IT HAS GONE SO WELL FOR YOU THIS SEASON?

The main thing has been the performance of the team. Because the team is playing good football and winning games it is better for me and my confidence. I try to work hard in training, and of course in the matches also, but everything is okay and I want to keep going and win more trophies.

FOREIGN STARS SUCH AS ERIC CANTONA, DENNIS BERGKAMP AND THIERRY HENRY HAVE WON THE PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE THE FIRST PORTUGUSE PLAYER TO BE HONOURED AT THE PFA AWARDS?

It feels great. It's a big thing to win awards like these in the English Premier League and I'm very happy. The fellow players voted for me and that is fantastic because they know the qualities that players have. It has been a great season for the club so far but I think the best is still to come.

THE FACT THAT THERE ARE EIGHT MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYERS IN THE PFA PREMIERSHIP TEAM OF THE YEAR SHOWS WHAT A TREMENDOUS CAMPAIGN IT HAS BEEN FOR THE CLUB, DOESN'T IT?

It is amazing and it shows you the quality that we have at Manchester United. To have eight players in the side is great and although it is me that has won the trophy, for which I am very proud, my colleagues have helped me very much.