Rooney, van Persie and Giggs win fan awards

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has been voted the best player currently plying his trade in the Barclays Premier League.

In a poll of over 30,000 fans from over 200 different territories, 20 per cent of supporters declared that Wayne Rooney would be the first name on their team sheet.

The Barclays Global fans survey saw Rooney come out on top, ahead of his Manchester United team-mate Robin van Persie, who secured 14 per cent of the public vote, while Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was voted into third place, with 10 per cent of the public support.

Fourth and fifth were Ryan Giggs and Luis Suarez respectively.

Manchester United and England star Rooney said: 'It's great to be recognised by the fans in this survey. I get messages from fans all over the world so I know how popular the Barclays Premier League is outside of the UK.'

Interestingly, Wayne Rooney succeeds Chelsea striker Fernando Torres, who was voted as the Premier League’s most popular player in the 2008 survey.

Meanwhile, Ryan Giggs was voted as the best Barclays Premier League player of all time, ahead of former Arsenal hero Thierry Henry, with Steven Gerrard once again coming in third place.

Giggs’ Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson retained his place as football fans’ favourite boss, gaining 41 per cent of the public vote, although 38 per cent of those questioned admitted that Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is the manager that they would most like to see back in the Barclays Premier League.

The survey also revealed that Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is considered the brightest new prospect for the next five years, with the winger gathering 17 per cent of the public vote, edging ahead of fellow England and Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere on 13 per cent and Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley on 8 per cent.

On a more light-hearted note, Rio Ferdinand gained the accolade of being named as the Premier League’s top Tweeter, followed by Wayne Rooney.