Ferguson and Bale Scoop Premier League Awards

Sir Alex Ferguson has been named the Barclays Manager of the Year with Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale claiming the Player of the Year accolade.

The Manchester United manager will take charge of his final game this weekend against West Brom after securing the club's 20<sup>th league title in a fitting conclusion to the Scot's 26-year reign at Old Trafford.

With just one game remaining before the 2012/13 campaign concludes, United hold a ten point lead over second placed Manchester City, having secured their 13<sup>th Premier League title with four games remaining, in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford last month.

A relentless United lost just five games all season, claiming 28 victories in a campaign where they banished the memories of missing out on the title in the dying minutes of the 2011/12 season, thanks to a last minute winner from City.

But fittingly for Ferguson, his last major act as United boss was restoring domestic glory to the red half of Manchester, before stepping down to be replaced by David Moyes.

Tottenham's Gareth Bale meanwhile completes a clean sweep of all the individual awards, having already claimed the PFA Player of the Year, PFA Young Player of the Year and the 2013 Footballer of the Year award, the latter decided by the Football Writers' Association.

The Welshman fended off the challenge United striker Robin van Persie to scoop every award going after a sublime season at White Hart Lane. Bale's 25 goals, many of which were of crucial significance, astounding quality or both, have helped leave Spurs in contention for a top four finish, although Arsenal still hold a point advantage over their neighbours heading into the final day of the season.

It is the 11<sup>th time Sir Alex Ferguson has been awarded the Manager of the Year accolade.