Bruno Fernandes Wins PFA Player of the Year after record-breaking season

Bruno Fernandes completed a remarkable double after being named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year.

Manchester United captain Fernandes had previously claimed the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award in May, following his record-breaking 2025/26 campaign. He racked up 21 assists in the Premier League, surpassing the record previously shared by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.

The Portugal midfielder edged out fierce competition despite United failing to lift a trophy last season, though the accolade carried extra weight given that the voting was conducted by his fellow professionals in the PFA.

The six-man shortlist compiled from the votes featured Rayan Cherki (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), David Raya (Arsenal), and Declan Rice (Arsenal).

Reflecting on his victory, Fernandes said, via The Mirror: “[It] was a special season, individual for me. And obviously, I’m very proud that all the ones that have decided to help me.

“I haven’t thought about the (assists) record much until you guys started commenting so much. Obviously, then when you start getting closer, you start thinking about it and everything.

“But I think it got into more into my strikers and into myself. The more so, you get to score the goal and to give me that feeling that sometimes they even forgot about their own game.

“But I’m very happy because assisting means that someone is getting goals, and mostly if I’m assisting, Manchester United is getting goals.

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“But obviously, we don’t play tennis. We play for just ourselves. We play football. We play in a team. We play for a club. We play for our fans. And there’s nothing more special than that.

“It’s very good to have that responsibility because it’s something nice. It’s something you can enjoy. Obviously, you have to deal with it. It’s not always easy, but I think it’s better to have that pressure than none.”

Tuesday’s PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester also celebrated a second double winner, as Manchester City’s prolific forward Bunny Shaw claimed the women’s prize, having previously taken home the FWA honor in May. The striker netted 21 goals last season, claimed the Golden Boot, and played a pivotal role in helping City end Chelsea’s stranglehold on the WSL title.

Fernandes’ victory came at the expense of Arsenal’s England midfielder Declan Rice, who was among FIVE Gunners players named in the PFA Team of the Year.

The Arsenal contingent of Rice, David Raya, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba were joined by four City representatives in Nico O’Reilly, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki. Brentford striker Igor Thiago also earned his place in the team of the year, recognizing a breakthrough campaign that secured him a spot in Brazil’s FIFA World Cup squad.

Manchester City’s England defender O’Reilly was named Young Player of the Year following an exceptional season in which he secured a domestic cup double and impressed on the World Cup stage.

Arsenal’s Olivia Smith claimed the women’s Young Player of the Year award after a standout individual campaign.

Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney OBE were both presented with merit awards recognizing their contributions to the game. These honors celebrate individuals who have made a lasting contribution to soccer.

Dalglish stands among the finest players in British soccer history, capturing numerous trophies at Liverpool before enjoying a remarkable managerial career. Across 515 appearances for Liverpool, Dalglish secured eight First Division championships and three European Cups.

Following her distinguished playing days, 39-year-old Carney has established herself as a broadcaster and was selected by the UK Government to lead an independent review in 2023.

League Two Players’ Player of the Year: Aaron Drinan, Swindon Town

League Two Team of the Year: Goalkeeper: Mathew Hudson (Oldham Athletic). Defenders: Omar Sowunmi (Bromley), Kelland Watts (Cambridge United), Jack Sanders (MK Dons), James Gibbons (Cambridge United). Midfielders: Alex Gilbey (MK Dons), Mitch Pinnock (Bromley), Sammy Braybrooke (Chesterfield). Forwards: Aaron Drinan (Swindon Town), Michael Cheek (Bromley), Callum Paterson (MK Dons)

League One Players’ Player of the Year: Dom Ballard, Leyton Orient

League One Team of the Year: Goalkeeper: George Wickens (Lincoln City). Defenders: Sonny Bradley (Lincoln City), Tendayi Darikwa (Lincoln City), Perry Ng (Cardiff City), Carl Piergianni (Stevenage). Midfielders: Oliver Norwood (Stockport County), Lewis Wing (Reading), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City). Forwards: Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient), Kyle Wootton (Stockport County), Amario Cozier-Duberry (Bolton Wanderers)

Championship Players’ Player of the Year: Hayden Hackney, Middlesbrough

Championship Team of the Year: Goalkeeper: Carl Rushworth (Coventry City). Defenders: Milan van Ewijk (Coventry City), Bobby Thomas (Coventry City), Tristan Crama (Millwall), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton). Midfielders: Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Matt Grimes (Coventry City), Jack Rudoni (Coventry City). Forwards: Zan Vipotnik (Swansea City), Haji Wright (Coventry City), Femi Azeez (Millwall)

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Premier League Players’ Player of the Year: Bruno Fernandes

Premier League Team of the Year: Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal). Defenders: Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal). Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City). Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Igor Thiago (Brentford)

WSL Players’ Player of the Year: Bunny Shaw

The PFA WSL Team of the Year: Goalkeeper: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea). Defenders: Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City), Toko Koga (Tottenham Hotspur), Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea), Emily Fox (Arsenal). Midfielders: Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City), Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Jessica Park (Manchester United). Forwards: Bunny Shaw (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Lauren James (Chelsea)

WSL2 Players’ Player of the Year: Lily Crosthwaite, Birmingham City

The PFA WSL2 Team of the Year: Goalkeeper: Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic). Defenders: Aimee Everett (Crystal Palace), Neve Herron (Birmingham City), Rebecca McKenna (Birmingham City), Mari Ward (Bristol City). Midfielders: Emily Syme (Bristol City), Jordan Nobbs (Newcastle United), Annabel Blanchard (Crystal Palace). Forwards: Lily Crosthwaite (Birmingham City), Ashleigh Weerden (Crystal Palace), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United)