At a Glance
Manchester United’s Fernandes talked up for PFA award
Carrick believes he deserves it
Portuguese playmaker faces competition from Arsenal star
With Manchester United revitalised under interim manager Michael Carrick, the debate over whether Bruno Fernandes should be considered for Player of the Year is moving beyond whispers.
The Portuguese midfielder has been spellbinding this season, assisting 16 times in 27 league matches as United move up to 3rd in the table. Now, Carrick, who was in high spirits following the Aston Villa win, has backed him.
Manchester United prepare to face AFC Bournemouth on Friday (March 20th). In his pre-match press conference, Carrick faced questions about whether he would vote for Fernandes as Player of the Year.
The United boss replied (via the club’s website): “I think he’s had a fantastic season. It’s not about who I would vote for — I’m delighted that he’s playing so well and making such an impact for us. He’s proving himself right up there in those conversations.”
He added:
“I’d love to see him take the award, you know, and it says a lot about what’s going on at this club and how the team’s playing, as well as how well Bruno’s playing. So, we’ll have to see how that pans out, but really, really pleased with everything that he’s doing at the moment.”
Fernandes has yet to win the PFA Player of the Year award since joining the club in early 2020. This has undoubtedly been his best campaign for the Reds, but a lack of trophy success or title change could harm his chances.
Is Bruno in with a chance?
As it stands, Declan Rice is the odds-on bookies’ favourite to win the Professional Footballers’ Association Men’s Players’ Player of the Year. The Arsenal midfielder has been a steel backbone for the Gunners this season, as Mikel Arteta’s side looks to win their first league title since 2004.
But whilst Rice is currently top of the charts, assist king Fernandes is not too far behind.
With odds of 9/2 (via Oddschecker), Fernandes is the closest rival to the Arsenal midfielder. And you can only imagine how high it will go if he breaks the assist record.
The main argument against Fernandes right now is that he will end the season trophyless, likely in third position. Let’s look at where other winners finished.
PFA Player of Year awards for the Premier League era
Year Player Club Position club finished
1992/93 Paul McGrath Aston Villa 2nd
1993/94 Eric Cantona Manchester United 1st
1994/95 Alan Shearer Blackburn Rovers 1st
1995/96 Les Ferdinand Newcastle 2nd
1996/97 Alan Shearer Newcastle 2nd
1997/98 Denis Bergkamp Arsenal 1st
1998/99 David Ginola Tottenham Hotspur 11th
1999/00 Roy Keane Manchester United 1st
2000/01 Teddy Sheringham Manchester United 1st
2001/02 Ruud Van Nistlerooy Manchester United 2nd
2002/03 Thierry Henry Arsenal 2nd
2003/04 Thierry Henry Arsenal 1st
2004/05 John Terry Chelsea 1st
2005/06 Steven Gerrard Liverpool 3rd
2006/07 Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United 1st
2007/08 Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United 1st
2008/09 Ryan Giggs Manchester United 1st
2009/10 Wayne Rooney Manchester United 2nd
2010/11 Gareth Bale Tottenham Hotspur 5th
2011/12 Robin Van Persie Arsenal 3rd
2012/13 Gareth Bale Tottenham Hotspur 5th
2013/14 Luis Suarez Liverpool 2nd
2014/15 Eden Hazard Chelsea 1st
2015/16 Riyadh Mahrez Leicester 1st
2016/17 N’Golo Kante Chelsea 1st
2017/18 Mohammed Salah Liverpool 4th
2018/19 Virgin Van Dijk Liverpool 2nd
2019/20 Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City 2nd
2020/21 Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City 1st
2021/22 Mohammed Salah Liverpool 2nd
2022/23 Erling Haaland Manchester City 1st
2023/24 Phil Foden Manchester City 1st
2024/25 Mohammed Salah Liverpool 1st
In the 33 completed seasons of the Premier League, the team that comes first tends to have the player who wins the player of the season. But not always.
The champions have had 17/33 winners—marginally above half—whilst the remaining 16 winners have come in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or, in David Genola’s case, 11th. So why should Fernandes not win?
Bruno Fernandes is taking the Premier League by storm this season with plenty of goals and assists 💥
How the @ManUtd midfielder is causing nightmares for defenders on the latest episode of The Breakdown 📺
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 19, 2026
Could he do it?
There is no doubt that Declan Rice is a superb player. He is the backbone of a well-oiled Arsenal side, which Mikel Arteta has carefully constructed.
Fernandes is one of the most exciting players in the world to watch. In a time when sides resemble machines more than men—with this Arsenal side at the forefront—the United skipper shines as a spark of pure footballing flair.
A footballer you cannot predict. He exudes class and elegance on the ball. His 96 chances created in the league this season dwarfs Decalan Rice’s 56, who sits in second place.
Rice could win it. Fernandes could win it. A third choice player, whom we have not discussed, could win it. But to suggest the Red Devils’ midfield maestro stands no chance of winning the award would be egregious.