Bruno Fernandes is the best player in the Premier League right now, but will this be enough for him to win the player of the season award this season?
With Manchester United sitting third in the table and one of the best teams in 2026 as a whole, Bruno Fernandes‘ chances of claiming the award have never been higher.
It has been Fernandes’ best season for United individually, accumulating 16 assists and eight goals in the Premier League, which is a ridiculous tally when he played defensive midfield for half of the season.
Fernandes has already had a record-breaking campaign, but he will quietly believe he has a chance of being named the Premier League Player of the Season.
Bruno Fernandes giving instructions against Aston Villa
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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.
Owen Hargreaves on why he doubts Bruno Fernandes will win player of the season
Despite not being in the title race, Fernandes is a leading Player of the Season contender thanks to his own individual performances, which have been better than anyone else’s.
But in a social video for TNT Sports, Owen Hargreaves has explained the one reason Fernandes might not win the award.
“Do you know what, he’s up there. I think right now he’s probably the best player in the Premier League, Bruno, just in terms of creation and assists. But I think if Arsenal win the Premier League, I think it would be Gabriel or Declan Rice, and rightly so.
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“Gabriel’s been the best defender this season. If Arsenal win, I think it’ll be one of those two. If not, then I think Bruno definitely deserves to win it. I think he’s been the best outfield player. That’s more of an attacking player, not a defender.”
While this is a solid argument, the idea of the award is supposed to be the best individual player, not the best player from the winning club. By the definition, Fernandes should be a shoo-in to win the award, and chances are he will win the Players’ Player of the Season if he isn’t crowned the PFA Player of the Season.
Bruno Fernandes is up there with United’s greats in the Premier League era
Do you think Bruno can get to 300 combined goals and assists for United?
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Bruno Fernandes would be the first Manchester United winner since Nemanja Vidic
Fernandes winning the Premier League Player of the Season crown would be a massive achievement for the club captain, cementing him as one of the best players of the 21st century.
It would be the first time a United player has won the award since 2011, when Nemanja Vidic was the award winner. Fernandes would join a select group of United players who have achieved this too, with the company he could be in proving he’s a legend.
Peter Schmeichel – 1995/16
Dwight Yorke – 1998/99
Ruud van Nistelrooy – 2002/03
Cristiano Ronaldo – 2006/07 and 2007/08
Nemanja Vidic – 2008/09 and 2010/11
Wayne Rooney – 2009/10
Bruno Fernandes would be a deserved addition to this list, and his victory won’t need a Premier League title, as Gareth Bale proved in 2012/13, for example.
On merit, Fernandes deserves the award.
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