Wayne Rooney was a happy man on Sunday evening when he picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year Award for the second successive season. The 20-year-old has been in startling form ahead of this year's World Cup in Germany and has won his first major trophy – the League Cup – with Manchester Untied for good measure. Givemefootball's Ian Clarkson was at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Sunday evening to find out what winning this award means to Rooney.
Q:HOW DO YOU FEEL AFTER WINNING THIS AWARD?
A:To win it twice on the run is a great honour and I am delighted with the award. As a team, we (United) have done a bit better than last year, so it is an improvement. Hopefully we can continue that and I will be sitting here again next season.
Q:WHO DID YOU VOTE FOR IN BOTH OF THE AWARDS THIS YEAR?
A:I voted for Cesc Fabregas, but it was close between him and Darren Bent, who has been brilliant with all the goals he has scored for Charlton. But Fabregas has done really well for Arsenal - especially in the Champions League. I also voted for Thierry Henry, for the goals he has scored and the overall performance - the main thing is that he was doing it all in the Champions League as well.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE SEASON WITH MANCHESTER UNITED THUS FAR?
A:We have done okay, it is a bit better than last year, so it is an improvement. Hopefully we can continue that and I will be sitting here again next season. We have progressed as a team, and my awareness has been a lot better. We have defended really well as a team, the likes of Louis Saha have come in and done really well for us. There has been competition for places over the last few months, and that is why we have done better.
Q:WHAT PLAYERS HAVE YOU LEARNED OFF SINCE YOU ARRIVED AT OLD TRAFFORD?
A:You have got experience there, like Giggs, Scholes and Gary Neville, as well as few younger players coming through, like Ronaldo, John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher. You can learn from everyone - especially the senior players, like Gary Neville, who have played hundreds of games for the club and has also played 70-odd games for England. He is a great professional and you can really learn a lot from him.
Q:HOW IMPORTANT IS NEXT WEEK'S GAME AGAINST CHELSEA WITH REGARDS TO THE PREMIERSHIP TITLE?
A:Obviously it is difficult for us now. I think at this moment, we are looking to finish second and get that automatic Champions League spot. But we want to go to Chelsea and win, because it would be devastating really if Chelsea win the league that day.
Q:DO YOU THINK THIS IS THE BEST ENGLAND SQUAD WE HAVE HAD SINCE 1966?
A:I think it probably is, yes. There is a mixture of youth and experience in the team, and the team spirit is certainly the best it ever has been since I have been involved in the squad. We have got match-winners in there, and that can only be good for us going into the World Cup. I cannot wait for the World Cup to come around. Hopefully from now until the end of the season, I can keep myself fit, free from injury and go to the World Cup fresh.
Q:WHO ARE ENGLAND’S MAIN RIVALS?
A:Really, I do not think we need to fear anyone. The squad is good enough at the minute and we are going into every game confident we are going to win it. If that is the same come the World Cup, then I think we do not have to fear anyone. Obviously you get nervous, but you have got to deal with that on the pitch - I am sure every player is the same. You go out there and do what you have to do.
