Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been officially named the Premier League Player of the Season for the 2025/26 campaign. The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder becomes the first Manchester United player to claim the prestigious individual honour since Nemanja Vidić in the 2010/11 season.
A Record-Breaking Campaign
Fernandes served as the primary creative force for Manchester United, playing a pivotal role in the club's successful push for a third-place finish and qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.
• Goal Contributions: Fernandes registered 8 goals and 20 assists in 37 Premier League appearances.
• Historic Milestone: His 20th assist equaled the all-time Premier League record for a single season, currently shared with Thierry Henry (2002/03) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019/20).
• Creative Output: He led the league with 132 chances created, finishing significantly ahead of the next highest player.
A Season of Resurgence
The award recognizes a remarkable turnaround in form for both Fernandes and Manchester United. Under the guidance of interim manager Michael Carrick who took charge following the departure of Rúben Amorim, Fernandes was restored to his preferred attacking midfield role. This tactical adjustment helped stabilize the team, moving them from a difficult start to a secure top-three finish with 71 points.
The playmaker, who was also named the Football Writers' Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year earlier this month, topped a competitive eight-man shortlist that included:
• Arsenal: Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhães, David Raya
• Manchester City: Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo
• Brentford: Igor Thiago
• Nottingham Forest: Morgan Gibbs-White
Nico O’Reilly Wins Young Player of the Season
Alongside Fernandes, Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly was named the Premier League Young Player of the Season. The 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign, making 34 league appearances and scoring five goals. O'Reilly, who has earned a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, was also recognized as the Etihad Player of the Season by Manchester City fans.
