Bruno Fernandes, captain of Manchester United, won the men's PFA Player of the Year award for the 2025-26 season at the ceremony in Manchester on August 25, 2026 [1, 2]. Fernandes set a Premier League record with 21 assists, surpassing Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne's previous joint record of 20 [3, 1, 4]. He also scored 9 league goals during the campaign [3, 1]. Manchester United finished third in the Premier League, securing Champions League qualification [3, 1]. Fernandes is the first Manchester United player to win the PFA award since Wayne Rooney in 2010 and only the second Portuguese winner after Cristiano Ronaldo, who won it in 2007 and 2008 [3, 1].
Fernandes joined Manchester United in January 2020 and has since contributed 110 goals and 106 assists across all competitions [1, 2]. He described the award as "a very proud moment" and acknowledged the challenge of being voted for by opponents. Michael Carrick praised his creativity, saying, "Bruno can just create moments. He’s bright. I think that little bit of freedom suits him. He’s got a natural brain" [5, 1].
Khadija Shaw of Manchester City won the Women's PFA Player of the Year for the second time after previously winning in 2024 [3, 1]. Shaw scored 21 goals in the Women's Super League, securing her third consecutive Golden Boot as she helped City win the WSL title [3, 1]. She said she was "truly honoured" to receive the award [6].
Manchester City forward Nico O'Reilly was named the men's Young Player of the Year after a breakthrough season with 53 appearances and 9 goals in all competitions. He scored twice in the League Cup final as City beat Arsenal and was part of the squad that won the FA Cup last season [3, 1]. O'Reilly hailed his season as "great" and said he was "over the moon" about his achievements with club and country [7]. Arsenal's Olivia Smith won the Women's Young Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year [3, 1].
The PFA Premier League Team of the Year for 2025-26 featured Manchester City players Nico O'Reilly, Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and Antoine Semenyo, alongside Arsenal defenders Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, goalkeeper David Raya, and midfielder Declan Rice [4, 7]. Bruno Fernandes was the midfield pick for Manchester United [1].
Fernandes had earlier won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award in May 2026, marking a standout season ahead of the PFA awards [3, 4].
