𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱'𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗼 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 2026 𝗣𝗙𝗔 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱

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

The Portuguese midfielder received the prestigious honour at the 53rd annual PFA Awards ceremony held at the Manchester Opera House in Manchester on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.

Fernandes was selected by his fellow professional footballers after producing an outstanding campaign for Manchester United during the 2025/26 season.

The award caps a remarkable individual season for the 31-year-old, who has now completed a clean sweep of three major individual honours after previously winning the Premier League Player of the Season and the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards.

### Fernandes beats strong competition

Fernandes emerged ahead of five other shortlisted players for the men's award.

The shortlist included Arsenal trio Declan Rice, David Raya and Gabriel Magalhães, as well as Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

The PFA award is particularly significant because the winner is chosen by fellow professional footballers rather than supporters or journalists.

Fernandes' victory therefore represents recognition from players who competed against him throughout the season.

The Professional Footballers' Association confirmed his victory on Tuesday.

### Record-breaking Premier League season

Fernandes' award follows one of the most productive campaigns of his Manchester United career.

The midfielder registered 21 assists in the Premier League during the 2025/26 season, setting a new single-season record.

He surpassed the previous record of 20 assists, jointly held by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and former Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

Fernandes also scored nine Premier League goals during the campaign.

His creativity and leadership were central to Manchester United's recovery during the second half of the season.

United endured a difficult opening period but improved significantly under manager Michael Carrick and eventually finished third in the Premier League, securing a return to the UEFA Champions League.

### First Manchester United winner since Rooney

Fernandes' triumph also ends a 16-year wait for a Manchester United player to win the men's PFA Players' Player of the Year award.

He becomes the club's first winner since Wayne Rooney claimed the honour in 2010.

The latest achievement further strengthens Fernandes' status as one of Manchester United's most influential players of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Since joining United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, Fernandes has established himself as a key figure in the club's midfield and later became captain.

His leadership and attacking contribution have remained central to United's performances, particularly during their resurgence last season.

### A clean sweep of major individual awards

The PFA honour completes an impressive individual awards treble for Fernandes.

Before Tuesday's ceremony, he had already been recognised as the Premier League Player of the Season and the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.

Winning the PFA award now means Fernandes has been recognised by the league, football writers and his fellow professional players for his performances during the same campaign.

His 21 assists were a major factor behind the recognition, with his ability to create chances and influence matches making him one of the standout performers in English football.

### Other PFA winners

Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly was named the 2026 PFA Young Player of the Year.

The Premier League Team of the Year also featured Fernandes alongside several players from Arsenal and Manchester City.

David Raya was selected in goal, while Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba and Jurriën Timber joined Manchester City's Nico O'Reilly in defence.

The midfield consisted of Fernandes, Arsenal's Declan Rice and Manchester City's Rayan Cherki.

Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Igor Thiago completed the forward line.

In the women's category, Manchester City forward Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw won the PFA Players' Player of the Year award after another outstanding campaign.

Former England international Karen Carney and Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish were also honoured with PFA Merit Awards for their contributions to football.

### Fernandes receives recognition from his peers

For Fernandes, the award represents the latest recognition of a season in which his individual performances stood out despite Manchester United failing to win a major team trophy.

His record-breaking creativity helped United recover from a difficult campaign and finish third in the Premier League.

The Portuguese international will now head into the new season as the reigning PFA Players' Player of the Year and one of the most decorated individual performers from the previous Premier League campaign.

The award also adds another major milestone to his Manchester United career as the club prepares for its return to Champions League football.