Fernandes is the first Manchester United player to win the prestigious trophy since Wayne Rooney in the 2009–10 season.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has said winning the 2025–26 PFA Players’ Player of the Year award is a “very proud moment” in his career.
The Portuguese midfielder made this known after his recognition by his fellow professionals as the winner of the highly coveted prize at the event held at the Manchester Opera House in Manchester, England, on Tuesday night.
Fernandes was crowned the men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year following an incredible individual campaign for Man United.
He won the award, beating five other nominated players: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), David Raya (Arsenal), and Rayan Cherki (Manchester City).
En route to being declared the winner, the 31-year-old also broke the all-time record for Premier League assists, setting up 21 goals to surpass Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
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He scored nine times to help the Red Devils secure a third-place finish and earn a return to the Champions League under manager Michael Carrick.
With the feat, he has now added the prize to the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award he won in May.
Speaking after he was announced as the winner, Fernandes expressed joy over being recognised by those he comes up against on the pitch.
He said: “It is obviously a very proud moment. They are the ones you go on the pitch against and it’s probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment.”
