Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has ended Manchester United’s 16-year wait for the PFA Player of the Year award, becoming the first player from the club to claim the prize since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
The Portuguese midfielder was named the 2026 winner after a standout season in which he once again proved central to United’s fortunes, combining goals, assists and leadership as the club secured a return to the Champions League.
Fernandes’ victory brings the prestigious award back to Old Trafford after a long spell in which United had watched players from rival clubs dominate the individual prize.
The significance of the achievement is hard to miss. When Rooney won the award in 2010, United were still under Sir Alex Ferguson and competing at the very top of English football. Fernandes now becomes the latest United player to have his season recognised by his fellow professionals.
He also joins a recent list of winners that includes Erling Haaland in 2023, Phil Foden in 2024 and Mohamed Salah in 2025.
But Fernandes’ case was built on more than reputation.
The United captain was one of the Premier League’s most productive creators during the 2025/26 campaign, setting a new league record with 21 assists. He also scored nine goals as United recovered from a difficult start to finish third and book their place back in Europe’s elite competition.
The award therefore caps a season in which Fernandes carried much of United’s creative responsibility while also leading the side through its campaign as captain.
His recognition was not limited to the PFA prize either, with the midfielder also collecting the Premier League Player of the Season and Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards.
