Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has officially received the 2025/26 Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award after a remarkable campaign that helped restore the club’s status among England’s elite.
Fernandes collected the prestigious honour during a ceremony held on Tuesday evening at London’s Landmark Hotel, becoming the first Manchester United player since Wayne Rooney in 2010 to win the award.
The Portugal international finished ahead of Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice in a closely contested vote involving more than 900 football journalists and writers across England.
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His recognition comes after one of the finest individual seasons of his career, with Fernandes playing a decisive role in Manchester United’s return to the UEFA Champions League under interim manager Michael Carrick.
The midfielder has produced eight goals and 20 assists across all competitions this season, while also equalling the Premier League single-season assist record jointly held by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.
Fernandes now has an opportunity to set a new record in United’s remaining fixtures, beginning with their upcoming clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 31-year-old attended the award dinner alongside Carrick, whose arrival midway through the campaign coincided with United’s dramatic improvement in form after a difficult start to the season.
United are currently on course to finish third in the Premier League — a turnaround few predicted earlier in the campaign when doubts surrounded the club’s ability to secure Champions League qualification.
Fernandes has widely been credited as the driving force behind that resurgence.
Beyond his goals and assists, the midfielder’s leadership and consistency have earned praise from supporters, former players and football analysts throughout the season.
Last week, Fernandes was also named Manchester United’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for a record fifth time, further underlining his influence at Old Trafford.
He additionally claimed the club’s Players’ Player of the Year award and is expected to be among the leading contenders for the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year honour later this year.
The latest recognition marks another major milestone in Fernandes’ Manchester United career, which began in January 2020 following his £67.7 million move from Portuguese club Sporting CP.
Since arriving in England, Fernandes has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most productive midfielders, consistently contributing goals, assists and match-winning performances even during difficult periods for the club.
His future at Old Trafford had briefly come under speculation last year amid reported interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal and several European clubs.
However, Fernandes chose to remain at Manchester United despite uncertainty surrounding the club’s long-term sporting direction and financial restructuring under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
That decision has since proven crucial for the club.
Fernandes recently made his 300th appearance for United and has continued to deliver in key moments throughout the run-in.
Football writers who voted for the award reportedly highlighted not only his attacking output, but also his leadership during one of the most important rebuilding periods in the club’s post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
For United supporters, the award serves as recognition of a player many believe carried the team through its most difficult moments and helped return optimism to Old Trafford.
