Fernandes completes individual treble with PFA Player of the Year after record 21 assists

Bruno Fernandes has been named PFA Player of the Year, completing a clean sweep of the three major individual honours this season after the Manchester United captain registered 21 assists — a new Premier League record — in 2025/26.

The Portugal playmaker was voted the division’s best player by his fellow professionals, beating a six-man shortlist that included three members of Arsenal’s title-winning squad. Fernandes had already claimed the Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Year awards before adding the PFA accolade.

His influence was central to United recovering from a sluggish start to the campaign, ultimately finishing third and securing a return to the Champions League. He was shortlisted alongside Arsenal’s David Raya, Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhães, and Manchester City pair Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

Manchester City midfielder Nico O’Reilly claimed the Young Player of the Year award, edging out Cherki, Arsenal teenager Max Dowman, Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi, United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.

City striker Bunny Shaw won the Women’s Player of the Year award, with Arsenal’s Olivia Smith named Women’s Young Player of the Year. Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney were presented with merit awards earlier in the evening.

Premier League Team of the Year: David Raya (Arsenal); Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal); Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City); Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Igor Thiago (Brentford).

Women’s Team of the Year: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea); Kerstin Casparij (Manchester City), Toko Koga (Tottenham), Ellie Carpenter (Chelsea), Emily Fox (Arsenal); Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City), Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), Jessica Park (Manchester United); Bunny Shaw (Manchester City), Alessia Russo (Arsenal), Lauren James (Chelsea).