Bruno Fernandes has completed a remarkable individual awards campaign after being recognised by his fellow professionals. The Manchester United captain was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season. The award follows a campaign in which he delivered record-breaking numbers and helped United return to the Champions League.

The players choose Fernandes

According to the PFA’s official awards announcement, Fernandes won the prize after a vote among Premier League players. He finished ahead of a shortlist featuring Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Gabriel Magalhães, David Raya and Declan Rice. The Portuguese midfielder was also selected for the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

“It is obviously a very proud moment,” Fernandes said, as quoted by Sky Sports. The 31-year-old became Manchester United’s first recipient of the award since Wayne Rooney won it for the 2009/10 season. His victory also ended a 16-year wait for the club.

A record behind the award

According to the Premier League’s official review of his achievement, Fernandes produced 21 assists during the 2025/26 campaign. That set a new competition record, moving him beyond the 20 recorded by Thierry Henry in 2002/03 and Kevin De Bruyne in 2019/20. He delivered the record-breaking assist for Patrick Dorgu against Brighton on the final day.

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Fernandes also scored nine league goals as United recovered from an uneven first half of the season to finish third under Michael Carrick. His first assist did not arrive until October 19, making the eventual total even more notable. He also created 136 chances and matched Steven Gerrard’s record of 11 assists from set pieces in a single campaign.

Recognition arrives from every direction

The PFA prize completes a trio of major individual honours for Fernandes. He had already been named Premier League Player of the Season and Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year. The three awards reflect recognition from players, journalists and the league.

Bunny Shaw won the women’s PFA award for the second time, while Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly was named men’s Young Player of the Year. Arsenal forward Olivia Smith collected the women’s young player prize. For Fernandes, however, the evening provided the final confirmation of a season in which his individual influence was impossible to ignore.

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