Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year for the 2025/26 campaign. The award, voted for by his fellow professionals, caps a remarkable individual season for the Portuguese midfielder, who set a new Premier League assists record.
The ceremony took place on Monday, August 25. Fernandes's recognition follows a campaign where he provided 21 assists in the Premier League, breaking the previous record. He also scored nine league goals. This clean sweep of individual honours for the season includes the Football Writers' Association award and the Premier League's own Player of the Season prize.
How did Fernandes achieve this recognition?
Bruno Fernandes's creative output was the driving force behind Manchester United's successful push for Champions League qualification. His 21 assists were a key factor in the team finishing third in the Premier League under manager Michael Carrick. The captain's total contributions for the club now stand at 110 goals and 106 assists since his arrival in 2020. He recently reached 200 total goal involvements for United in 314 matches, a milestone only bettered in club history by Wayne Rooney, who did it in 295 games.
Michael Carrick praised his captain's unique abilities. "Bruno can just create moments," Carrick said. "He's bright. I think that little bit of freedom suits him. He's got a natural brain." Fernandes himself expressed pride at being chosen by his peers. "It is obviously a very proud moment," he said. "They are the ones you go on the pitch against and it's probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment."
What is the historical significance for Manchester United?
This win marks the 12th time a Manchester United player has received the PFA's top honour, more than any other club in England and Wales. Fernandes becomes only the second Portuguese player to win the award, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, who won it in 2007 and 2008 while also playing for United. The shortlist for the main award featured six players, including Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, and Arsenal's Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, and David Raya.
Fernandes was also named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. The full team was: David Raya (Arsenal); Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal); Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City); Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Igor Thiago (Brentford).
Who else was honoured at the PFA awards?
The PFA Young Player of the Year award went to Manchester City's 21-year-old left-back, Nico O'Reilly. The England international, who also won the Premier League's equivalent award, made 53 appearances for City last season, scoring nine goals, including two in their League Cup final win over Arsenal. The shortlist included Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo.
In the women's categories, Manchester City striker Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw won the Women's Player of the Year award for the second time. Her 21 WSL goals, which secured the Golden Boot, helped City win the league title for the first time in ten years. Manchester United's Jess Park was named in the Women's Team of the Year. PFA merit awards were presented to Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney.
What is the current context for Manchester United?
The individual accolade arrives as Manchester United seeks to build momentum in the new season. After one game, the team sits 16th in the Premier League with zero points, having lost their opening fixture. They have scored no goals and conceded two, leaving them with a -2 goal difference and already three points behind early leaders Brighton. The immediate focus shifts to correcting this start, with the next opportunity coming at home against Ipswich Town on August 30. Fans can track the team's progress on our standings page and view the upcoming schedule on our fixtures list. The squad will be looking to their captain to inspire a swift turnaround in form.
