After stepping up to fill the gap left by the departure of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas last summer,  27-year old Van Persie has netted 27 premier league goals this season and has been in the form of his life.

“If other people are saying it, it is special, but it is even more special if your opponents are saying it,” he said on accepting teh award. “It is a big honour.”

Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker was also named PFA Young Player of the Year at the awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor Hotel last night

The PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year saw four players from Manchester City, including keeper Joe Hart, defender Vincent Kompany and midfielders Yaya Toure and David Silva, three players from Spurs, including last year’s PFA Player of the Year Gareth Bale, with Wayne Rooney the only player from Manchester United to be named in the team.

Photo: Getty.