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Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the Football Writers’ Association footballer of the year for the second consecutive year.

The Portugal winger becomes only the second player - after Thierry Henry in 2004 - to retain the title.

And it follows the 23-year-old’s PFA player of the year award on Sunday, which he also claimed last season.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Portsmouth keeper David James finished second and third respectively.

Ronaldo’s most recent award consolidates his position as the most highly-rated player in the English game.

“To score 38 goals in a season - so far - is an astonishing feat for a winger,” said FWA chairman Paul Hetherington.

“He did not exactly get 100% of the vote, but from the moment voting started he moved to the front and stayed there.

“Given his age, he has the potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented way.”

PREVIOUS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR C Ronaldo (Man Utd) - 2007 Thierry Henry (Arsenal) - 2006 Frank Lampard (Chelsea) - 2005 Thierry Henry (Arsenal) - 2004 Thierry Henry (Arsenal) - 2003 Robert Pires (Arsenal) - 2002 T Sheringham (Man Utd) - 2001 Roy Keane (Man Utd) - 2000

Ronaldo has been in inspirational form for United, who are on course for a Premier League and Champions League double, with only Chelsea challenging them on both fronts.

United are top of the league table from the Blues on goal difference with two matches remaining.

And the sides will also meet in the Champions League final in Moscow on 21 May.

Blackpool winger Stanley Matthews won the first Footballer of the Year award in 1948.

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been voted Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association.

The 23-year-old Portugal international - who last week was named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year - topped the poll of journalists ahead of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James.

It is the second season in succession Ronaldo has received the accolade, now in its 61st year. Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was the last man to collect the FWA award twice in a row, from 2003 and 2004.

Chairman of the FWA, Paul Hetherington, said: “Ronaldo’s award is no surprise after his brilliant form this season and incredible goal-scoring record - 38 at the moment -and he is, of course, essentially a winger.

“Cristiano was an overwhelming winner and, given his age, he has the potential and ability to dominate this award for years in an unprecedented way.”

Ronaldo - who has helped take United to within touching distance of the Barclays Premier League title as well as the Champions League final in Moscow - will receive his award at the FWA’s gala dinner at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on May 15.