Bruno Fernandes has been voted the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) player of the year, pipping three Arsenal stars to the honour.
The Gunners dominated the PFA’s team of the year after winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004, so it was no surprise to see them do the same in the player of the year running. Declan Rice, David Raya and Gabriel Magalhaes were all nominated, with Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki also in the running.
But Fernandes came out on top after a record-breaking campaign in which he scored nine goals and assisted a scarcely believable 21, helping United drag themselves back into European contention after a dismal start to the campaign under Ruben Amorim.
Bruno Fernandes is the PFA Players’ Player of the Year 🏆
— PFA (@PFA) August 25, 2026
Voted for by the players. pic.twitter.com/CPkxcnVNVY
His heroics helped United book their place in the Champions League, which they will contest this season for the first time since finishing bottom of their group in 2023/24.
Fernandes had been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer as Galatasaray attempted to lure him to Turkey, but, such is his importance to the squad, United refused to sell and have instead opened preliminary talks over a new contract.
And there was further success for another Manchester club as City’s Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw was crowned the women’s player of the year.
The Jamaica international tallied 21 league goals in 22 appearances as she fired City to a first WSL title since 2016.
Her heroics saw her linked with a big-money transfer to Chelsea, who were in need of a replacement for Sam Kerr.
But she snubbed their interest and instead chose to extend her stay with City, signing a new contract which will make her one of women’s football’s best-paid players.
