Bruno Fernandes named 2026 PFA Player of the Year

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has won the 2026 Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year award.

The award was given at the 53rd annual PFA Awards ceremony held at the Manchester Opera House in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Tuesday.

The Portuguese midfielder earned this honour after being voted the best player of the 2025/26 season by his fellow players. The PFA announced the award on Tuesday, with Fernandes beating five other nominees in the men’s category.

The nominees included Manchester City players Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, as well as Arsenal players Declan Rice, David Raya, and Gabriel Magalhães.

Fernandes' Great Season

This award marks a fantastic personal season for Fernandes. He was a key player in helping Manchester United finish third in the Premier League and return to the UEFA Champions League.

Fernandes also set a record this season by providing 21 assists in the Premier League. Earlier, he was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and the Premier League’s Player of the Season.

Haaland entered the race after winning the Premier League Golden Boot for the third time. He scored 27 goals in 35 league matches for Manchester City. His teammate Cherki also gained recognition after a strong first season in English football.

Arsenal had three players in the final six nominees after their title-winning season, with Rice, Raya, and Gabriel all making the shortlist.

Significance of the Award

The PFA Players’ Player of the Year is especially important because the winner is chosen by fellow players, not fans, journalists, or a judging panel.

Fernandes' win continues a strong trend of individual awards for the Manchester United captain. He has shown himself to be one of the club’s most important players since joining in January 2020.