Bruno Fernandes has once again been recognised for the remarkable form that inspired Manchester United to a much improved 2025-26 campaign in the latest PFA Awards
Bruno Fernandes has been named PFA Players' Player of the Year(Image: Professional Footballer's Association)
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Bruno Fernandes enjoyed a clean sweep after being crowned the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year.
Manchester United captain Fernandes was also voted the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in May after his record-breaking 2025/26 season. He registered 21 assists in the Premier League which beat the record previously joint held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
The Portugal midfielder beat off strong competition despite United not winning a trophy last year but was the ultimate compliment as the vote is from his fellow pros in the PFA.
The six-strong shortlist from the votes was Rayan Cherki ( Manchester City ), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Gabriel Magalhaes ( Arsenal ), David Raya (Arsenal), Declan Rice (Arsenal).
Speaking after his win, Fernandes said: “[It] was a special season, individual for me. And obviously, I'm very proud that all the ones that have decided to help me.
“I haven't thought about the (assists) record much until you guys started commenting so much. Obviously, then when you start getting closer, you start thinking about it and everything.
“But I think it got into more into my strikers and into myself. The more so, you get to score the goal and to give me that feeling that sometimes they even forgot about their own game.
“But I'm very happy because assisting means that someone is getting goals, and mostly if I'm assisting, Manchester United is getting goals.
“But obviously, we don't play tennis. We play for just ourselves. We play football. We play in a team. We play for a club. We play for our fans. And there's nothing more special than that.
“It's very good to have that responsibility because it's something nice. It's something you can enjoy. Obviously, you have to deal with it. It's not always easy, but I think it's better to have that pressure than none.”
The PFA awards in Manchester on Tuesday night also recognised another double winner as Manchester City’s prolific striker Bunny Shaw got the women’s award after doing the same with the FWA in May. She scored 21 goals last season and won the Golden Boot and helped City break Chelsea ’s grip on the WSL title.
Fernandes’ award saw him beat off Arsenal’s England star Declan Rice who was one of FIVE members of the Gunners’ squad to be named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Arsenal stars Rice, David Raya, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba were all named along with four City stars, Nico O’Reilly, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. Brentford striker Igor Thiago also made the team of the year in recognition for his breakthrough season which got him into the Brazil World Cup squad.
Manchester City’s England defender O’Reilly was voted Young Player of the Year after his outstanding season as he won a domestic cup double and also starred at the World Cup.
Nico O'Reilly
Nico O'Reilly won the Young Player of the Year award(Image: Professional Footballer's Association)
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Arsenal’s Olivia Smith got the women’s Young Player of the Year after a memorable personal campaign.
Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney OBE both got merit awards for their services to the game. The awards honour individuals who have made a lasting contribution to football.
Dalglish is one of the greatest players in the history of the British game, winning trophies galore at Liverpool before enjoying a remarkable managerial career. Dalglish won eight First Division titles and three European Cups across 515 appearances for Liverpool.
After her glorious playing career, Carney, 39, has built a career as a broadcaster and was appointed by the UK Government to chair an independent review in 2023.