Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been crowned the 2026 PFA Players’ Player of the Year after producing a remarkable individual campaign that saw him break the Premier League’s single season assist record.
The Portugal international was recognised by his fellow professional footballers at the prestigious Professional Footballers’ Association Awards after an outstanding 2025/26 season. Fernandes recorded 21 Premier League assists, surpassing the previous record jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, while also scoring nine league goals.
The award represents another major individual achievement for Fernandes, who has established himself as one of Manchester United’s most influential players since arriving at the club. His creativity, leadership and consistency were central to United’s campaign, with the midfielder playing a major role in their third place finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
Fernandes becomes the first Manchester United player since Wayne Rooney in 2010 to win the prestigious PFA Players’ Player of the Year award. He is also only the second Portuguese player to claim the honour, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The latest recognition completes a remarkable collection of individual honours for Fernandes. Before winning the PFA award, he had already been named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season, making his 2025/26 campaign one of the most decorated individual seasons of his career.
Fernandes was competing against some of the Premier League’s biggest stars for the PFA award, including Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhães, Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, and Manchester City forwards Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki. The final decision was made by fellow players, making the recognition particularly significant.
Manchester City also enjoyed a strong night at the awards, with Khadija “Bunny” Shaw winning the Women’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year for the second time. Shaw scored 21 goals in 22 Women’s Super League appearances and played a major role in Manchester City’s title winning campaign.
City’s Nico O’Reilly was another major winner, collecting the Men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award. The 21 year old enjoyed an impressive season and was also selected in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. His award came ahead of a shortlist that included Rayan Cherki, Arsenal youngster Max Dowman, Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha.
Arsenal forward Olivia Smith retained the Women’s PFA Young Player of the Year award, winning the prize for a second consecutive season. Her achievement further underlined her rapid development and growing influence in English women’s football.
The PFA Premier League Team of the Year also reflected the outstanding performances of several players during the campaign. Arsenal dominated the selection with David Raya, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, Jurriën Timber and Declan Rice all included. Manchester City were represented by Nico O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, while Fernandes represented Manchester United and Igor Thiago was selected from Brentford.
In the Women’s Super League Team of the Year, Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, Manchester City’s Kerstin Casparij and Yui Hasegawa, Arsenal’s Emily Fox and Mariona Caldentey, Manchester United’s Jessica Park, Arsenal’s Alessia Russo and Chelsea’s Lauren James were among those recognised alongside Shaw.
Beyond the headline awards, the ceremony also honoured outstanding performers from the Championship, League One, League Two and the Women’s Super League 2. Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish and former England international Karen Carney were also recognised with PFA Merit Awards for their contributions to football.
For Fernandes, however, the night belonged to him. His record breaking creativity, goals and leadership have earned recognition from journalists, Premier League officials and now, most importantly, his fellow professionals.
At 31, the Manchester United captain continues to demonstrate his importance to the club, and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award provides another major milestone in a career that has already delivered numerous individual achievements.
With another demanding season ahead, United supporters will now hope Fernandes can carry his exceptional form into the new campaign and help the club challenge for major honours.
