Manchester United and Wales legend, Ryan Giggs, was awarded the prestigious PFA award on Sunday April 26 in London. Giggs was voted the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award for the first time in his career in a season in which he has had a driving dominance and influence over the fortunes of his team who are still attempting to lift four trophies this season.

The Welshman topped his United teammates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar and Liverpool's inspirational skipper, Steven Gerrard.

In his illustrious longstanding career with Manchester United, Ryan Giggs has won scores of medals, honours and silverware, but until now the prestigious PFA award had always bypassed him. He finally won acclaim, aged 35.

"It's right up there with personal accolades," Giggs admitted. "It's the best to have as it's voted for by your fellow players.

"I've been fortunate to win a lot of trophies - I won the young player award twice - but this is the big one," he was quoted as saying by the United website.

Aston Villa's striker Ashley Young took the Young Player of the Year award.

He beat his Villa teammate Gabriel Agbonlahor, Manchester United duo Jonny Evans and Rafael Da Silva, Aaron Lennon of Spurs and Manchester City's Stephen Ireland.

The Best Eleven of the Year: Edwin Van der Sar (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Fernando Torres (Liverpool)