Rooney in race for world player award

WAYNE ROONEY is one of four Manchester United players nominated for FIFA’s World Player of the Year award in a list which is heavily influenced by the Premiership.

Ten of the 35 named yesterday play their football in England, with Real Madrid’s English duo David Beckham and Michael Owen also included.

Rooney, whose nomination owes to his performances at Euro 2004, is joined by new club-mates Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Thierry Henry, one of the favourites for this year’s award, and Robert Pires make up Arsenal’s contingent while Chelsea’s new signing Didier Drogba is joined by team-mate Frank Lampard.

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros, top scorer in Portugal in the summer, and England midfielder Steven Gerrard represent Liverpool.

Real Madrid are the club with the most nominations, as picked alongside Beckham and Owen are Raul, Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo and 2003 winner Zinedine Zidane, while arch-rivals Barcelona have four - Ronaldinho, Deco, Samuel Eto’o and former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson.