Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been crowned the 2026 PFA Players’ Player of the Year. This came after a record-breaking Premier League campaign for the Red Devils. The Bruno Fernandes PFA award win reflects his extraordinary impact this season.
According to Reuters, Fernandes claimed the prestigious award after producing 21 assists and nine goals. Consequently, Manchester United recovered from a difficult start to finish third in the Premier League and secure a return to the Champions League. Notably, fans around the globe have been celebrating the Bruno Fernandes PFA award and his remarkable statistics.
Fernandes breaks Premier League assist record
The Portugal international was at the heart of United’s revival during the 2025/26 season.
His 21 assists set a new Premier League record for the most in a single campaign. This moved him beyond the previous benchmark held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Fernandes also found the net nine times, giving him 30 direct goal contributions during the league campaign.
The 31-year-old enjoyed greater attacking freedom under Michael Carrick, who allowed United’s forward players more licence to dictate games.
Fellow players vote Fernandes best
The PFA Players’ Player of the Year award is decided by professional footballers, making the recognition particularly significant for Fernandes.
Reacting to the honour, the United captain described being chosen by fellow professionals as a proud moment.
“It is obviously a very proud moment,” Fernandes said.
The award adds to his Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year honour from earlier in the year. Importantly, the Bruno Fernandes PFA award puts him among football’s elite.
Fernandes follows Ronaldo
Fernandes becomes only the second Portuguese footballer to win the PFA award, highlighting the stature of the Bruno Fernandes PFA award.
Cristiano Ronaldo previously claimed the prize in consecutive seasons in 2007 and 2008 during his first spell at Manchester United.
Fernandes is also the first United player to win the award since Wayne Rooney in the 2009/10 season.
United players have now won the men’s PFA Player of the Year award 12 times, more than any other club.
United captain reaches major milestone
Since joining Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in 2020, Fernandes has established himself as one of the club’s most influential players.
He has recorded 110 goals and 106 assists for United across all competitions.
Fernandes also reached 200 goal involvements for the club in 314 appearances. He became the second-fastest United player to reach the milestone during the Premier League era behind Rooney.
Fernandes makes PFA Team of the Year
His individual award was accompanied by a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
Fernandes was selected in midfield alongside Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki.
Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly won the men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award. Additionally, City striker Bunny Shaw claimed the women’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year honour for the second time.
For Fernandes, however, the night capped a remarkable individual season. His creativity not only rewrote the Premier League record books but also helped Manchester United return to Europe’s biggest club competition.
