Add Manchester United's very own red-hot Ruud van Nistelrooy into the equation - even though his club ended empty-handed - and you have the best three strikers in Europe over the past 12 months by some distance.

In fact, van Nistelrooy's strike record is best of all with 53 goals in 68 appearances (six as substitute) for Sir Alex Ferguson's men - he even exceeded Henry in the scoring stakes in all competitions during 2001-02.