Bruno Fernandes has been crowned the PFA Player of the Year after an impressive 2025-26 campaign at Manchester United.
The Red Devils captain enjoyed a sublime individual season that saw him break the Premier League record for the most assists in a single season with 21, surpassing Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Fernandes also scored nine times as United turned around a poor start to the season to finish third in the Premier League under Michael Carrick and earn a return to the Champions League.
Bruno Fernandes ‘proud’ of the award
Upon collecting his award on Tuesday night, the 31-year-old was honoured to have been voted the best player by his top-flight peers.
‘Winning this, being voted by the ones that every week go out on the pitch against me, is something that makes me very proud,’ he said.
‘Because they’ve been there, they’re playing against me, they’ve seen what I’m capable of doing, and for them to vote for me is something I’m very grateful for.
‘It’s always nice to see the name of the club in these kinds of awards, and obviously the players stand out with the club behind them. That’s very important for us.
‘I hope that from now on we can have even more players from our club having this kind of recognition, because it’s also important and means that we’re doing something very good.
‘Individually, you want to have these accolades to show that your game is helping the team and that there are a lot of good things you’ve been doing to help them.’
Meanwhile, Manchester City Women’s striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw won the PFA Women’s Player of the Year award for the second time.
Shaw won the gong in 2023-24 and has collected it again this time around after scoring 21 goals last season to win a third-straight Golden Boot and her maiden Women’s Super League title.
There was more success at City as Nico O’Reilly won the Men’s PFA Young Player of the Year after a stellar breakout season that culminated in him playing a key role in England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals.
Arsenal’s Olivia Smith retained her crown as the Women’s Young Player of the Year, becoming only the second player after England international Lauren Hemp, to win the award on multiple occasions.
Arsenal and Manchester City dominate the PFA Team of the Year
Premier League champions Arsenal had five representatives in David Raya, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice, with Player of the Year. Manchester City had four players in O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo. Completing the line-up is Fernandes and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
The PFA WSL Team of the Year featured three players from triumphant City, with Shaw joined by team-mates Kerstin Casparij and Yui Hasegawa.
Mariona Caldentey, last year’s PFA Women’s Player of the Year, was joined in the XI by fellow Arsenal players Emily Fox and Alessia Russo.
Tottenham defender Toko Koga and Manchester United’s Jess Park were also included in a team, as were the Chelsea trio of Hannah Hampton, Ellie Carpenter and Lauren James.
Hayden Hackney, now of Everton, was named Championship PFA Players’ Player of the Year for his performances for defeated play-off finalists Middlesbrough.
Dom Ballard, who scored a jaw-dropping effort for new club Bristol City at the weekend, collected the League One award for goal-laden season at Leyton Orient.
Swindon striker Aaron Drinan’s performances saw him collect the League Two award, while Lily Crosthwaite of Birmingham took the WSL2 player accolade.
Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney received the PFA merit awards in recognition of their contribution to football.
