Cunha, Mainoo and Fernandes shortlisted for top Man United honour

Manchester United have confirmed that Matheus Cunha, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes are vying to scoop up a top award.

Superb season

United wrapped up their 2025/26 season last weekend with a dominant 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. It brought the curtain down on a campaign that truly turned around upon Michael Carrick’s arrival as Ruben Amorim’s replacement.

Carrick won 12, drew three and lost just two of the 17 Premier League games he took charge of.

The 3-2 win over Liverpool secured Champions League football and locked in third place for United soon after.

May in particular was a productive month for the Red Devils as they recorded wins against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and of course, Brighton. There was also the goalless draw at Sunderland.

United have now confirmed that Cunha, Mainoo and Fernandes have been shortlisted for the final Player of the Month for 2025/26.

Vying to win

Cunha broke the deadlock against Liverpool, firing a powerful effort from the edge of the box and into the back of the net.

He also got on the scoresheet against Forest, although it was a controversial one as the ball struck Bryan Mbeumo’s hand in the build-up. There was a lengthy VAR check and the goal stood, although refereeing body PGMOL later admitted that it should have been chalked off.

The Brazil international was an unused substitute in the triumph at Brighton.

Fernandes was in vintage form in May, registering an assist for Patrick Dorgu at the Amex and then scoring a sensational finish to reach 30 goal contributions.

It was also the Portuguese playmaker who teed up Benjamin Sesko for the second goal of the game against Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Mainoo was a constant presence in the team, the culmination of which saw him earn a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup.

Mainoo, of course, was the one who netted the winning goal in that Liverpool triumph.

Featured image by Molly Darlington/Getty Images

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