Bruno Fernandes claims PFA Player of the Year to complete double after record-breaking Premier League season

Bruno Fernandes completed a prestigious double on Tuesday night in Manchester, being crowned PFA Players’ Player of the Year to add to the Football Writers’ Association award he collected in May. The Manchester United captain set a new Premier League assist record of 21 during the 2025-26 season, surpassing the previous mark jointly held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.

The Portugal midfielder beat a six-man shortlist that included Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland of Manchester City, Arsenal trio Gabriel Magalhães, David Raya and Declan Rice, and England midfielder Rice in particular. The vote carries particular weight as it is cast entirely by fellow professionals.

Arsenal dominated the PFA Team of the Year, placing five players — Rice, Raya, Gabriel, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba — in the XI. Manchester City contributed four: Nico O’Reilly, Haaland, Antoine Semenyo and Cherki. Brentford striker Igor Thiago completed the side after a breakthrough season that earned him a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad.

O’Reilly, City’s England defender, was named Young Player of the Year following an outstanding campaign in which he won a domestic cup double and featured at the World Cup. Arsenal’s Olivia Smith claimed the women’s equivalent after an impressive personal season.

In the women’s game, Manchester City striker Bunny Shaw matched Fernandes’ double by winning the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year, having already taken the FWA honour in May. Shaw scored 21 goals, claimed the Golden Boot and helped City end Chelsea’s run of WSL titles.

Merit awards were presented to Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney OBE for their services to football. Dalglish, who made 515 appearances for Liverpool, won eight First Division titles and three European Cups as a player before a celebrated managerial career. Carney, 39, has moved into broadcasting since retiring and was appointed by the UK Government in 2023 to chair an independent review into women’s football.

In the lower leagues, Swindon Town’s Aaron Drinan was named League Two Players’ Player of the Year.