Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale became only the third player to be named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year. Andy Gray in 1976-77 and Cristiano Ronaldo six years ago were the other two.
Bale has been brilliant for Spurs this season, playing with a lot more freedom under AVB. That freedom has translated into goals, with the Welsh winger scoring 19 goals in 29 Premier League appearances, including a goal-of-the-season contender at West Ham and one in Tottenham’s first win at Manc
“It’s a massive honour,” said Bale. “To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game.
“When you look at the list there are some massive names on it and the other nominees have been unbelievable this year, but I couldn’t have done it without the team.
“They have been fantastic this year and so has the manager (Andre Villas-Boas).
“I couldn’t have won it without them, so I would like to give them all a big thank you as well.”
Liverpool’s Luis Suarez finished second in the voting, and Manchester United’s Robin van Persie finished third.
The PFA also announced it team of the season, which included four Manchester United players:
(4-4-2) De Gea (United); Zabaleta (City), Vertonghen (Spurs), Ferdinand (United), Baines (Everton); Mata (Chelsea), Bale (Spurs), Carrick (United), Hazard (Chelsea); Van Persie (United), Suarez (Liverpool