Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has joined Cristiano Ronaldo as only the second Portuguese player to win the PFA Player of the Year award, after a sensational 2025-26 season in which he broke the Premier League record for assists.
Fernandes provided 21 assists in the Premier League last season, the most by any player in a single campaign, while also scoring nine goals as Manchester United finished third in the English top flight. His performances earned him the award, which is voted for by members of the Professional Footballers’ Association.
The 31-year-old becomes only the second Portuguese player to receive the honour after Ronaldo, who won it in consecutive years in 2007 and 2008 during his first spell at Old Trafford.
Fernandes’ recognition also extends Manchester United’s dominance in the history of the men’s award. United players have now won the PFA Player of the Year award 12 times, more than any other club in England and Wales.
Fernandes was particularly influential under Michael Carrick, who gave the United captain and the rest of the front four greater freedom in attack.
“Bruno can just create moments. He’s bright. I think that little bit of freedom suits him. He’s got a natural brain,” Carrick had said in February.
The award caps another remarkable chapter in Fernandes’ Manchester United career. Since joining the club in 2020, he has scored 110 goals and provided 106 assists. He reached 200 goal involvements in just 314 Premier League appearances, with only Wayne Rooney reaching the landmark faster for United.
PFA PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Fernandes was also named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, alongside Arsenal’s David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly, Declan Rice and Rayan Cherki, and forwards Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
Manchester City youngster O’Reilly was named the PFA Young Player of the Year after a breakthrough campaign in which he made 53 appearances in all competitions and scored nine goals.
In the women’s awards, Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw was named PFA Women’s Player of the Year for the second time after finishing the Women’s Super League season as its top scorer with 21 goals. Arsenal striker Olivia Smith retained the Women’s Young Player of the Year award.
MANCHESTER UNITED’S DISJOINTED START
Manchester United will hope Fernandes’ individual recognition can provide some confidence as they look to recover from a disastrous start to the new Premier League season.
Carrick’s side were beaten 2-0 by newly promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium in their opening game, producing a performance that raised fresh questions about United’s defensive vulnerabilities.
United had entered the campaign with optimism after finishing the previous season strongly under Carrick. That confidence, however, quickly evaporated as Hull matched United physically and exposed their weaknesses with an energetic display.
The hosts took the lead in the 17th minute after United failed to deal with a dangerous situation inside their own box. Semi Ajayi reacted quickest to the defensive lapse and finished from close range.
Hull doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when Nobel Mendy rose highest inside the box and powered a header beyond goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
United struggled to cope with the pace and intensity of the Hull attack, with Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw unable to provide the defensive stability Carrick would have wanted.
The United manager turned to Marcus Rashford at half-time, handing the forward his first competitive appearance for the club in 618 days. But even Rashford’s return could not spark a comeback.
United created little after the break, with Bryan Mbeumo coming closest to pulling one back. Hull goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis stood firm, however, and the hosts comfortably saw out the victory.
The defeat leaves Carrick with plenty to address, particularly at the back, with United still working on their squad before the transfer window closes.
A deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba is reportedly close, but the defeat in Hull will only underline the need for United to strengthen their defence as well.
For Fernandes, the PFA award offers a timely reminder of just how influential he was for United last season.
Now, the club will hope their captain can help bring that influence into a new campaign that has started in anything but ideal fashion.
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