Bruno Fernandes has been named PFA Premier League Player of the Year after a record-breaking season.
Bruno Fernandes has been rewarded for one of the finest individual seasons of his Manchester United career after being named the PFA Premier League Player of the Year.
The Manchester United captain was recognised by his fellow professionals after producing a record-breaking 21 assists during the 2025/26 campaign, while also scoring nine goals as Michael Carrick’s side secured an impressive third-place finish.
He took the prize ahead of Arsenal’s David Raya, Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes who were named in the top six alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.
The Portuguese midfielder was given greater freedom under Carrick and responded by becoming the creative heartbeat of the team. His 21 assists were a Premier League record, while his overall contribution helped United return to the Champions League places and gave supporters genuine optimism heading into the new campaign.
Fernandes, who joined United in 2020, has now scored 110 goals and provided 106 assists for the club. He reached 200 Premier League goal involvements in 314 appearances, becoming only the second-fastest United player to reach that landmark after Wayne Rooney, who managed it in 295 games. He is also only the second Portuguese player to win the men’s PFA award, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s back-to-back triumphs in 2007 and 2008.
Bruno Fernandes, the second Portuguese PFA Players’ Player of the Year 🏆
The first was a red too 👀❤️ pic.twitter.com/Td7IHxqton
— PFA (@PFA) August 25, 2026
While Fernandes took the headline men’s award, Arsenal dominated the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. The Gunners were crowned Premier League champions last season after ending a 22-year wait for the title, and their strong representation among the division’s best players reflects the consistency that finally took them over the line.
Manchester City also had a major individual winner, with Nico O’Reilly claiming the PFA Young Player of the Year after a remarkable breakthrough campaign.
The 21-year-old left-back made 53 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals, and had already been recognised as the Premier League’s Young Player of the Season. In the women’s awards, City striker Khadija Shaw was named PFA Women’s Player of the Year after finishing as the Women’s Super League’s top scorer with 21 goals, while Arsenal’s Olivia Smith won the Women’s Young Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year.
Fernandes’ victory also adds another chapter to Manchester United’s remarkable history at the PFA Awards. United players have now won the men’s Player of the Year prize 12 times, more than any other club in England and Wales.
PFA 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).
The PFA Premier League Team of the Year 🏆
Voted for by the players. pic.twitter.com/8i4WNR5a8y
— PFA (@PFA) August 25, 2026
