Man Utd Skipper Bruno Fernandes Bags PFA Men's Player of the Year Gong

The prestigious PFA Players' Player of the Year award for the 2025/26 season has been claimed by Manchester United's captain, Bruno Fernandes. This marks a significant achievement for the 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder. Simultaneously, Manchester City's prolific striker, Bunny Shaw, secured the women's equivalent for the second time in her career.

Fernandes had an exceptional 2025-26 campaign, breaking the all-time Premier League record for assists by setting up an impressive 21 goals. This feat saw him surpass the legendary figures of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Beyond his playmaking prowess, the Red Devils' skipper also found the back of the net nine times, contributing significantly to United's turnaround from a challenging start to the season. Under the guidance of manager Michael Carrick, the team rallied to finish third in the Premier League, securing a coveted return to the Champions League.

Expressing his delight at being recognized by his peers, Fernandes stated, "It is obviously a very proud moment. They are the ones you go on the pitch against and it's probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment." His victory makes him the first Manchester United player to win the award since Wayne Rooney in the 2009/10 season. This latest accolade adds to his collection, following his Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award received in May.

On the women's side, 29-year-old Bunny Shaw, who also received recognition from the FWA, clinched her second PFA Women's Player of the Year award. Her first win was in the 2023-24 season. Shaw's stellar performance included scoring 21 goals, which earned her a third consecutive Golden Boot and played a crucial role in Manchester City securing their inaugural Women's Super League title.