By Francis Onyach - Reporter
UK, 25 August 2026 - Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been crowned the 2026 PFA Players’ Player of the Year, adding another major individual honour to what has been an outstanding campaign for the Portuguese midfielder.
Fernandes was recognised by his fellow professionals after producing a remarkable 2025/26 season in which he played a central role in Manchester United’s resurgence and broke one of the Premier League’s most significant creative records.
The award was confirmed on Tuesday, August 25, at the 53rd annual PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester, with Fernandes beating competition from Arsenal trio Declan Rice, David Raya and Gabriel Magalhães, as well as Manchester City duo Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki. The PFA confirmed that its Players’ Player of the Year award is decided through voting by fellow players, making the recognition particularly significant.
Fernandes Caps Extraordinary Individual Season#
Fernandes' victory comes after arguably the most productive individual season of his Manchester United career.
The 31-year-old midfielder broke the Premier League record for assists in a single season, registering 21 assists during the 2025/26 campaign. He surpassed the previous record of 20, jointly held by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Manchester City great Kevin De Bruyne.
His creativity was instrumental in Manchester United's improvement during the second half of the campaign.
United endured a difficult opening period but recovered under Michael Carrick to finish third in the Premier League, with Fernandes remaining one of the team's most influential players throughout the turnaround.
His ability to create opportunities, contribute goals and take responsibility in crucial moments made him the focal point of United's attacking play.
Third Major Individual Honour#
The PFA award gives Fernandes another prestigious addition to his personal collection.
Before Tuesday's ceremony, he had already won the Premier League Player of the Season award and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year prize.
The PFA Players' Player of the Year therefore completes a remarkable individual awards sweep.
What makes the latest honour particularly significant is that it comes directly from his fellow professionals. Unlike awards decided by journalists, supporters or statistical rankings, the PFA Players' Player of the Year is voted for by players themselves.
That makes Fernandes' victory a powerful endorsement of his performances from the people competing against him on the pitch.
He Beat Strong Competition From Arsenal and Manchester City#
Fernandes faced a particularly strong field.
Arsenal supplied three nominees after an exceptional campaign for Mikel Arteta's side. Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhães and David Raya were all shortlisted following Arsenal's Premier League title-winning season.
Rice was considered one of Fernandes' strongest challengers after another excellent campaign in midfield. He contributed four goals and seven assists in 36 Premier League appearances as Arsenal ended their long wait for another league title.
Manchester City were represented by Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki. Haaland finished the Premier League season as the division's Golden Boot winner with 27 goals, while Cherki enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in English football.
Fernandes ultimately emerged ahead of all five competitors.
A Special Achievement for Manchester United#
The award also has considerable historical significance at Old Trafford.
Fernandes becomes the latest Manchester United player to win the prestigious honour, following a long line of club legends who have previously received the award.
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United's previous winners include Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Teddy Sheringham, Gary Pallister and Mark Hughes.
Fernandes' latest achievement further strengthens his status as one of the defining Manchester United players of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Since arriving at Old Trafford in January 2020, he has consistently carried enormous creative and leadership responsibility. His influence became even greater after being appointed club captain, and his performances during the 2025/26 campaign demonstrated why United continue to regard him as one of their most important players.
Record-Breaking Creativity#
The 21 assists are perhaps the clearest illustration of Fernandes' influence.
Breaking a record previously shared by Henry and De Bruyne is significant because both players established themselves among the greatest creative midfielders in Premier League history.
Fernandes' achievement also came during a season in which Manchester United were not the dominant team in English football. Arsenal won the Premier League title, while United finished third.
That makes his individual contribution even more remarkable.
Rather than benefiting from playing in the strongest team in the league, Fernandes produced record-breaking creative numbers while helping United recover from a difficult start and secure Champions League football.
Fernandes' 2026 Awards Treble#
The PFA Players' Player of the Year completes an impressive personal treble for the Manchester United captain.
His major individual honours this season now include:
- Premier League Player of the Season
- Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year
- PFA Players' Player of the Year
The third award is arguably the most prestigious of the three in terms of peer recognition because it is determined by fellow professional footballers.
Fernandes can therefore look back on the 2025/26 campaign as one in which his performances were recognised across virtually every major individual award category.
What the Award Means for Manchester United#
For Manchester United, Fernandes' victory provides further evidence of the midfielder's importance to the club's project.
United have undergone significant changes in recent seasons, but Fernandes has remained a constant presence at the heart of the team.
His leadership, creativity and goal contributions have made him indispensable, while his record-breaking assist tally demonstrates that he continues to operate at an elite level.
The award also arrives at an important moment for United, who are looking to build on their third-place Premier League finish and establish themselves as serious contenders for major honours again.
With Fernandes now recognised by his fellow professionals as the PFA Players' Player of the Year, United have another compelling reason to build their team around their captain.
From breaking the Premier League assist record to winning the Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year awards, the Manchester United captain has now added the PFA Players' Player of the Year crown. It is a fitting recognition from his fellow professionals for one of the finest seasons of his career.