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Bruno Fernandes has been named the 2026 PFA Players’ Player of the Year after producing a record-breaking campaign for Manchester United.
The United captain becomes the first player from the club to receive the prestigious award since Wayne Rooney in 2010, capping a season in which he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most influential players.
Fernandes breaks Premier League assist record
Fernandes set a new Premier League record with 21 assists during the 2025-26 campaign, surpassing the previous mark of 20 held by Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
The Portugal international recorded nine goals and 21 assists in 35 league appearances as United finished third and secured Champions League qualification.
His contribution extended beyond the league, with the midfielder finishing the campaign with nine goals and 22 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.
Fernandes’ decisive season was reflected in the PFA voting, where he beat Arsenal trio Gabriel Magalhaes, David Raya and Declan Rice, as well as Manchester City pair Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland.
Second Portuguese winner after Ronaldo
The 31-year-old is now only the second Portuguese player to win the PFA’s top individual men’s award.
He follows former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who claimed the honour in consecutive years in 2007 and 2008.
Fernandes also played a key role on the final day of the Premier League season, providing an assist and scoring United’s third goal against Brighton to complete his record-setting league campaign.
The award adds to a growing collection of individual recognition for Fernandes, who was previously named the Football Writers’ Association’s men’s Footballer of the Year for the 2025-26 season.
Meanwhile, Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw won the women’s PFA Player of the Year award, while City’s Nico O’Reilly and Arsenal’s Olivia Smith were named the men’s and women’s Young Players of the Year respectively.