Manchester United's Chinese international Dong Fangzhuo joins teammates Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo as part of the FIFPro Young Player of the Year list of nominees.

The United starlets are among 12 players nominated for the award, organized by the global representative organization for professional footballers.

The winner will be announced at the FIFPro World Player XI ceremony in London September 19.

Rooney and Ronaldo represented United last season despite the club's failure to lift any silverware, while Dong Fanzhou has been on loan to Royal Antwerp since signing for United, but joined the club on their Far Eastern pre-season tour.

The 12 nominated players are: Javier Mascherano (Corinthians and Argentina), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd and England), Arjen Robben (Chelsea and Holland), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich and Germany), Robinho (Real Madrid and Brazil), Dong Fangzhou (Royal Antwerp/Man Utd and China), Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd and Portugal), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal and Spain), Rio Mavuba (Bordeaux and France), Giorgio Chiellini (Fiorentina and Italy), Obafemi Martins (Inter Milan and Nigeria), Freddy Adu (DC United and United States).

(CRI August 19, 2005)