Van Nistelrooy thanks the fans
Ruud van Nistelrooy thanked Manchester United's fans last night after being named the Professional Footballers' Association Players' Player of the Year.
The Dutchman beat Robert Pires, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, David Beckham, Roy Keane and Thierry Henry to claim the award in London.
Van Nistelrooy praised the Old Trafford faithful who inspired his goalscoring since his £19million move from PSV Eindhoven.
He said: "I'm so grateful to the fans of United because they gave me a great welcome. From the very first day they lifted my game."
But van Nistelrooy had words of caution ahead of United's Champions League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen. He said: "Winning the Champions League would be great but we have to get past Leverkusen. We have to be at the top of our game to beat them."
The Dutch international admitted he was overjoyed just to be playing at the top level after overcoming a career-threatening knee injury.
He is the second successive United striker to take the award, following Teddy Sheringham last year.
"This is the proudest moment in my career because the players of the Premiership, the best league in Europe, have voted for me," he said.
Newcastle and Wales striker Craig Bellamy was named Young Player of the Year.
Luton manager Joe Kinnear has branded the PFA Third Division Team of the Year "a disgrace" after his side, who have already been promoted, were represented only by Matthew Taylor.
