Bruno Fernandes Claims PFA Player of the Year

The Portuguese midfielder received the prestigious honour from his fellow professionals after an outstanding individual campaign. His recognition comes as a clear endorsement of the creativity and consistency he displayed throughout a challenging year for his club. Fernandes also collected the Football Writers’ Association award earlier, completing a rare double for a United player.

During the season the 31-year-old set a new Premier League record with 21 assists, surpassing the previous mark shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. He added nine goals of his own as United recovered from a difficult start to finish third under manager Michael Carrick. That result secured a return to the Champions League and underlined Fernandes’s importance as both leader and playmaker. His ability to unlock defences week after week made him the standout performer among his peers.

Reflecting on the award, Fernandes expressed genuine pride at being chosen by those who face him on the pitch. “It is obviously a very proud moment. They are the ones you go on the pitch against and it’s probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment,” he said. The tribute from opposing players carried special weight, highlighting the respect he has earned across the league despite United’s inconsistent team results.

In the women’s game, Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw claimed the Player of the Year prize for the second time. She scored 21 goals to secure a third consecutive Golden Boot and helped her side win the Women’s Super League title after a decade-long wait. City also celebrated further success when young midfielder Nico O’Reilly was named the men’s Young Player of the Year after contributing to domestic cup triumphs and earning senior international recognition.

The Team of the Year reflected the strength of several top sides. Arsenal placed five players in the side while Manchester City contributed multiple representatives alongside Fernandes and one Brentford forward. The awards ceremony celebrated both individual brilliance and collective achievement across the men’s and women’s games. For Fernandes, the PFA honour stands as lasting recognition of a season in which he repeatedly elevated those around him and left a lasting mark on Premier League history.