By Sachit Subba • Football • Aug 26, 2026 03:28 AM • 71 views
In London on Tuesday evening, Bruno Fernandes won the Professional Footballers’ Association Men’s Players’ Player of the Year award for 2026. English football’s players voted him the season’s best performer, recognising a campaign marked by constant playmaking and clear leadership.
Fernandes received the trophy at the annual PFA awards ceremony in London after narrowly edging out a highly competitive shortlist of Premier League players.
Throughout the season, the Portuguese midfielder served as the team's operational centre. He led the Premier League in chances created, making 114 key passes and providing 13 direct assists. Fernandes also scored 15 league goals, converting important penalties and striking from long range at key moments. He rarely rested, playing more than 3,200 league minutes.
His consistency shone through during a difficult campaign. When United needed control, Fernandes set the pace from central areas. When urgency was required, he found accurate passes behind defensive lines. His work off the ball was just as valuable. He often disrupted opponents' counter-attacks and pressed defenders deep in their half.
"The fact that the players I compete against every week have voted for me to win this award is of the utmost importance," Fernandes said after accepting the award. "We all know how difficult this league is; in every match, you do everything you can to give your club a chance of winning. I am dedicating this award to my teammates and our supporters, because no one achieves personal success alone."
Fernandes has now joined a select group of players at Old Trafford. He has become the first Manchester United player to win the men's senior award since Cristiano Ronaldo won two trophies in succession in 2007 and 2008; previous winners include Mark Hughes, Gary Pallister, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Teddy Sheringham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney.
The prize marks the conclusion of a significant phase in Fernandes's career in England; since joining Manchester in January 2020, he has delivered top-class offensive figures while acting as team captain. His peers' recognition shows he is one of the Premier League's most productive and durable attacking midfielders.
Management and supporters will hope Fernandes carries this momentum into the coming European and domestic matches, underscoring the significance of his award for the months ahead.
