Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named the 2025/26 Premier League Player of the Season after a standout campaign that saw the Portuguese midfielder inspire the club’s return to the UEFA Champions League.
Fernandes secured the award following an exceptional individual season in which he registered eight league goals and 20 assists in 37 appearances, helping United finish third in the table under head coach Michael Carrick.
The Portugal international equalled the Premier League’s single-season assist record after setting up United’s goal against Nottingham Forest last weekend, matching the tally of 20 previously achieved by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.
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The award, decided through a combination of public votes and selections by a panel of football experts, crowns a remarkable season for Fernandes, who earlier this month was also named the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Footballer of the Year.
Fernandes becomes the first Manchester United player to win the Premier League’s top individual prize since Nemanja Vidic claimed it during the 2010/11 season.
The 31-year-old midfielder has been widely praised for carrying United through difficult moments during the campaign, particularly during the club’s managerial transition earlier in the season.
Despite operating in a deeper midfield role for parts of the campaign, Fernandes remained United’s most influential attacking player and finished the season as the league’s leading creator.
Statistics released by the Premier League showed Fernandes created 132 chances during the campaign — 43 more than Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who ranked second on the list.
His consistency also proved decisive in United’s push for Champions League qualification, with Fernandes contributing either a goal or assist in 13 of his final 17 league appearances after returning from injury in January.
Speaking after receiving the award, Fernandes thanked supporters and teammates for their role in the achievement, insisting the recognition reflected the collective efforts of the squad throughout the season.
The midfielder now has one final opportunity to break the Premier League assist record when United travel to Brighton on Sunday for their final game of the season.
The individual recognition further strengthens Fernandes’ growing legacy at Old Trafford, where he has established himself among the club’s most influential modern-era players since arriving from Sporting CP in 2020.
Away from the individual awards, Manchester United also confirmed that several members of Michael Carrick’s coaching staff — including Steve Holland, Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion and Craig Mawson — have signed new two-year contracts as part of the club’s rebuilding plans.
Carrick himself recently signed a permanent two-year deal after impressing during his spell in interim charge.
Elsewhere, Manchester City youngster Nico O’Reilly was named the Premier League Young Player of the Season after a breakthrough campaign that included five goals and three assists in 34 appearances.
