Bale scoops PFA double

Tottenham talisman Gareth Bale was last night named Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

The awards cap a remarkable season for the Welsh ace who has had a sparkling season, scoring 24 times in 40 games to keep Tottenham in the hunt for a top-four spot.

It is the second time in three years that Bale has won the senior gong and he is only the third player in history — Andy Gray in 1976-77 and Cristiano Ronaldo in 2006-07 — to win both the young and senior awards.

The 23-year-old faced stiff competition to win the senior award, beating off controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie from Manchester United and Chelsea duo Eden Hazard and Juan Mata.

Bale is one of two Tottenham players in the PFA Team of the Year, with Jan Vertonghen one of the four defenders selected.

Champions Manchester United boast four representatives in the players’ 11.

David De Gea is the goalkeeper, Rio Ferdinand is in defence, Carrick wins a midfield berth and van Persie slots in up front with Suarez, the sole Liverpool representative.

City’s disappointing season is reflected in the fact that only Pablo Zabaleta makes the side. Everton’s Leighton Baines is in at left-back while Hazard and Mata join Carrick and Bale in midfield.