Gary Lineker is convinced that Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes would be a worthy challenger for the Premier League Player of the Season accolade.
The 65-year-old former England and Barcelona striker praised the incredible “footballing brain and technique” of Bruno Fernandes on his latest podcast episode.
Bruno Fernandes impressed Gary Lineker and Micah Richards after his impact for Manchester United in the Red Devils’ 2-1 Premier League comeback win on Sunday.
The 31-year-old Man Utd captain converted from the spot-kick in the second half against Crystal Palace and set up Benjamin Sesko for the Red Devils’ winner.
READ MORE:‘Good player’: Bruno Fernandes explains how ‘confidence’ can transform Benjamin Sesko into ‘much better’ striker
Bruno Fernandes celebrates with Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
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Gary Lineker on Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes being a candidate for the Premier League Player of the Season prize
Bruno Fernandes has netted seven times and registered an impressive 14 assists in his 27 matches across all competitions for Manchester United in the campaign.
The Portugal international has been influential as ever on the United first-team squad after returning to the No 10 role on the pitch under Michael Carrick.
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Fernandes has found the back of the net twice and picked up five assists in Michael Carrick’s first seven matches as Man Utd’s interim head coach this season.
Speaking after United’s win over Crystal Palace, Gary Lineker refused to rule out Fernandes from his picks for the Premier League Player of the Season award.
“You see him on the left wing, you see him on the right wing… what a brain,” he said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
“I think he’s the player of the season for me. I know they’ll probably give it to someone [who’s] going to win something.”
READ MORE:Man Utd fans all saying same thing about ‘world-class’ Bruno Fernandes after impact performance vs Crystal Palace
What does Bruno Fernandes have to do in 2026 to challenge for the Ballon d’Or?
Win the World Cup? Win the Premier League POTY? Break the assist record?
Bruno Fernandes Ballon d'Or Talking points graphic.
Credit: Getty Images.
Gary Lineker says Declan Rice could thwart Bruno Fernandes from winning the Premier League Player of the Season prize
The Red Devils climbed to third place in the Premier League table on Sunday afternoon after Man Utd’s 2-1 comeback victory over Palace at Old Trafford.
Despite Fernandes’ impact for United, Lineker explained why Declan Rice or Erling Haaland are likely to win the Premier League Player of the Season award.
“For me, it’s probably him [Fernandes] or maybe Declan Rice if Arsenal go on and manage to clinch the title,” he continued.
“I suppose the only other one, if he came back and started banging in all the goals and won City the title, it might be Erling Haaland again.
“But at the moment, for me, to do what he’s done this season… and he was still the standout player even when they were going through a rotten spell when they were really struggling under Ruben Amorim.
“I think he’s got such a great footballing brain and technique. What a player, what a player!”
United are back in Premier League action on Wednesday evening and Michael Carrick’s men will visit St James’ Park for their tough encounter with Newcastle.
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