Bruno Fernandes wins PFA player of the year as Arsenal dominate team of the year

Bruno Fernandes has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Premier League Player of the Year after a standout 2025-26 campaign with Manchester United.

The Portuguese midfielder was instrumental in United’s attack, registering a Premier League-record 21 assists while also scoring nine goals as the club secured a third-place finish in the English top flight.

Fernandes, who has captained Manchester United since taking on the role and joined the club in 2020, has established himself as the central figure in their attacking play.

The award, voted for by members of the players’ union, is the 12th time a Manchester United player has claimed the men’s prize — more than any other club in England and Wales.

Fernandes is also only the second Portuguese player to win the award. His compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the honour in consecutive years in 2007 and 2008.

Fernandes reaches new heights at United

The 31-year-old enjoyed an especially productive season after Michael Carrick gave United’s attacking players greater freedom to influence games.

Fernandes finished the campaign with 110 goals and 106 assists for United, reaching 200 Premier League goal involvements in just 314 appearances.

Only Wayne Rooney, who reached the milestone in 295 matches, achieved the feat faster during the Premier League era.

Fernandes’ consistency and creative output helped United secure Champions League football while also establishing him as one of the league’s most influential attacking midfielders.

Shaw claims women’s award

Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw was named the PFA Women’s Player of the Year after finishing as the Women’s Super League’s top scorer with 21 goals.

It is the second time Shaw has won the award, having previously been recognised in 2024.

The Jamaican striker’s goalscoring form once again underlined her importance to City’s attack and cemented her position among the leading forwards in women’s football.

O’Reilly named Young Player of the Year

The PFA Young Player of the Year award went to Manchester City’s 21-year-old left-back Nico O’Reilly following his breakthrough campaign.

O’Reilly made 53 appearances in all competitions for City, scoring nine goals, and also collected the Premier League Young Player of the Season award.

Arsenal striker Olivia Smith retained the women’s Young Player of the Year prize for a second consecutive season.

PFA Premier League Team of the Year

Arsenal dominated the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, with four players selected in the XI.

• Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal)
• Defenders: Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal)
• Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
• Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Igor Thiago (Brentford)

With Fernandes claiming the individual prize and Arsenal providing four members of the Team of the Year, the PFA Awards highlighted some of the Premier League’s standout performers from the 2025-26 season.

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