Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has delivered another controversial statement that may not go down well with the club supporters.
With the 2025-26 season rapidly approaching its conclusion, the debate surrounding the winner of the prestigious Premier League Player of the Year award has intensified dramatically.
Scholes has now revealed that he would personally back Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes to win the coveted individual honour.
He said (via The Good, The Bad & The Football Podcast): “I would probably go with Gabriel. I think he has been Arsenal’s best player.
“People say Declan Rice – Brilliant player, but I don’t think he has done enough to win the Player of the Year.
“I think probably Bruno has been the best player but I get Nicky’s point of being at the top of the league.”
Bruno Fernandes deserves the crown
The United captain has produced a sensational individual campaign despite the enormous pressure surrounding the club this season.
Fernandes has registered an outstanding eight goals and 19 assists in all competitions this campaign.
The Portuguese playmaker now sits just one assist away from potentially equalling the iconic single-season assist record of 20 jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Arsenal are currently favourites to lift the Premier League title, and Mikel Arteta deserves huge credit for transforming the mentality of his squad.
The Spaniard has successfully guided Arsenal to the brink of ending their long wait for league glory.
However, the Player of the Year award should ultimately recognise the individual who has stood head and shoulders above everyone else across the entire campaign.
Fernandes has almost single-handedly inspired United towards a potential third-place finish after the club ended last season down in 15th position.
Players such as Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Kevin De Bruyne have all won major individual awards despite their teams missing out on league glory in those respective seasons.
Gabriel has undoubtedly been a defensive leader for Arsenal, but his overall influence still falls short of Fernandes’ extraordinary impact this season.
Fernandes recently strengthened his case even further after being crowned the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year ahead of Rice and Erling Haaland.
The fact that Gabriel was not even seriously involved in that race only adds further scrutiny to Scholes’ controversial choice.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com