Cristiano Ronaldo completed a clean sweep as Manchester United's player of the year for the second successive season on Sunday night.The Portugal winger, whose 41 goals were a major factor in helping United retain their Premier League title, retained both the fans' and players' player of the year awards.

Ronaldo also won the goal of the season award for his free-kick at home to Portsmouth in January which swerved and dipped to leave goalkeeper David James flat-footed.

He said at the end of the season ceremony: "The fans have been fantastic for me, not just me but every player, singing all the time.

"This gives extra motivation to play better. The supporters help us all the time and I have to say thank you."

Striker Danny Welbeck was named young player of the year.

Ronaldo added: "I always try to help the team. If I score it's better for me, but I look all the time to play well for the team, to do something for the team. If the goals are coming, I feel very proud.

"I believe we are going to do everything to win that game (in Moscow)."

Sir Alex Ferguson said of his talisman: "When we saw Cristiano against us that night in Lisbon, there was no way we were going to leave that stadium without him, there's absolutely no doubt about that.

"Since he's come he has taken on the challenge of improving in every training session. He practices all the time and I think he is the best in the world now."

Asked whether he will try to go for the 50-goal mark next season, Ronaldo laughed and said: "Fifty? I don't know. I'll try my best.

"I don't look for goals, I look to play well and if the goals are coming, it's good."

Asked on MUTV about Sunday's title celebrations after the win at Wigan, Ronaldo said: "Sometimes you don't have the words to say what it feels like to be a champion. It's amazing.

"I would have preferred it if it was at Old Trafford because the atmosphere would have been brilliant but we won at the JJB and it's very good to be champions."

Ronaldo admitted he had not expected the title race to go right to the wire.

"To be honest, no," he said. "The feeling is better though, it is a tough Premier League this season but when the referee finished the game (against Wigan) and you can say 'we are champions now' the feeling is great, because we worked for nine months to win this title.

"I feel very proud, very happy, everything."

As for his development as a player, Ronaldo continued on MUTV: "I think I've not just improved this season; I try to improve every year. I'm better now than five years ago.

"I think at the right club, playing with the right players, you learn all the time. This season has been good for me because I've scored many goals, the team have played fantastically to win the Premier League and we're in the final of the Champions League."

As focus switches to that showdown with Chelsea in Moscow next week, Ronaldo said: "It's going to be fantastic if we win the Champions League. The feeling is going to be amazing if we win.

"In the final you never know, it is 50-50. I'm very happy and proud to play in the final, this is my first time. I feel very excited, the lads have belief and it is a great opportunity for all of the players. The lads want to win and of course I want to win as well.

"We have a great opportunity. Why not? I'm sure in this game that if you have the opportunity to win, you win."

More Football News from TEAMtalk