Bruno Fernandes Wins Premier League's Most Prestigious Individual Award
Manchester, 9 May 2026
Manchester United’s Portuguese captain has claimed the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award, becoming the first United player to win since Wayne Rooney in 2010. With 19 assists this season, Fernandes sits just one short of the Premier League record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. His exceptional creativity has seen him create 120 chances, instrumental in United’s unexpected Champions League qualification with three matches to spare.
A Season of Exceptional Leadership
The Football Writers’ Association announced on 7 May 2026 that Fernandes had claimed the prestigious award, recognising his outstanding contributions during the 2025/26 season [1]. His exceptional statistics tell the story of a player operating at the peak of his powers - with eight goals and 19 assists in the Premier League this campaign, Fernandes has been directly involved in 27 goals for United [1]. The Portuguese midfielder’s creativity has been unmatched, creating 120 chances according to Opta data, a figure that underscores his vision and technical ability [2]. Remarkably, Fernandes has topped the Premier League charts in all but one of his previous five complete seasons at Manchester United, demonstrating sustained excellence over an extended period [2].
Record-Breaking Assist Tally Within Reach
Fernandes’ 19 assists this season place him tantalizingly close to Premier League history, requiring just one more assist in the remaining three matches to equal the record of 20 assists in a top-flight campaign, jointly held by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne [1][2]. Since returning from a rare injury against Burnley, Fernandes has been remarkably consistent, with Sunday’s victory over Liverpool marking only the third match out of 16 in all competitions where he failed to either score a goal or create one [3]. His performances have been particularly crucial since mid-January, during which period he has been involved in more goals than any other Premier League player [2].
Recognition from Peers and Teammates
The award has garnered widespread approval from fellow professionals, with Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha offering particularly heartfelt praise for the United captain. ‘I feel like he deserves so much… He helps everyone. I think he is a beautiful captain for the club. He passed through hard moments and he deserves to have these beautiful moments also. What a player, what a guy. He deserves the Player of the Year,’ Cunha stated [1][2]. Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has emphasised the importance of creating the right framework to maximise Fernandes’ talents, noting: ‘I think giving Bruno the platform to go and perform. Like all the players, I think we are trying to create the structure and a team set-up, really, to try to bring out the best of everyone within that’ [2].
Transformative Impact During Turbulent Times
Fernandes’ exceptional season becomes even more remarkable when viewed against the backdrop of Manchester United’s turbulent campaign. Following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January 2026 with Champions League qualification in serious doubt, many questioned whether United could achieve their European ambitions [2][3]. However, Fernandes’ leadership and consistent performances proved instrumental in the club’s remarkable turnaround, helping secure Champions League qualification with three matches to spare [3]. The achievement represents a significant milestone for a club that has struggled for consistency since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 13 years ago, with United potentially ending the campaign closer in points to the eventual champions than in any season since Ferguson’s departure [3]. As Sky Sports’ Adam Bate observed: ‘Bruno Fernandes’ case has already been made. He has been the exceptional player in the Premier League this season’ [1].