Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been crowned the PFA Men’s Player of the Year, completing a historic individual treble at the Professional Footballers’ Association annual ceremony on Tuesday in Manchester.
The 31-year-old playmaker edged out Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in the peer-voted ballot. The honour caps an extraordinary domestic campaign where Fernandes registered a record-breaking 21 assists alongside nine goals in Premier League play, anchoring United’s turnaround to secure a third-place finish. He becomes the first Manchester United representative to claim the prestigious accolade since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
Bruno Fernandes Completes Historic Individual Sweep
The PFA trophy completes a clean sweep of England’s top individual honours for the Portugal international, who had already secured both the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) and Premier League Player of the Year awards earlier this summer.
“It is obviously a very proud moment,” Bruno Fernandes said. “They are the ones you go on the pitch against, and it’s probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment.”
Since arriving from Sporting CP in January 2020, the United skipper has established remarkable consistency, surpassing 200 goal contributions for the Red Devils across all competitions in February.
According to tactical data tracking by Reporters At Large, Fernandes’ record-setting 21 assists led all European top-five leagues in chance creation, underscoring his decisive role in United’s tactical setup.
Nico O’Reilly Claims PFA Young Player Honours
Across town, Manchester City prospect Nico O’Reilly captured the Men’s Young Player of the Year award following a stellar breakout campaign under Pep Guardiola.
The versatile midfielder made 34 league appearances for City last season, highlighted by a two-goal performance against Arsenal at Wembley to secure the Carabao Cup in February. His domestic form earned him a selection to England’s FIFA World Cup squad.
“I had a great season. I’m very proud of the season I had,” O’Reilly said. “I won two trophies with my club and managed to play at the World Cup with my country. I’m over the moon with how it turned out.”
Arsenal Dominates PFA Team of the Year Selections
Title runners-up Arsenal headlined the PFA Premier League Team of the Year with five selections, including goalkeeper David Raya and defenders Jurriën Timber, Gabriel, and William Saliba alongside midfielder Declan Rice.
Manchester City earned four nods with O’Reilly, Erling Haaland, and mid-season standout additions. Fernandes represented Manchester United, while Brentford forward Igor Thiago earned a spot in the XI following an impressive debut campaign.
In the English Football League categories, Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney claimed Championship Player of the Year, Leyton Orient forward Dom Ballard earned the League One honour, and Swindon Town striker Aaron Drinan took home the League Two award.
With 21 assists and three major individual trophies locked in, Fernandes enters the upcoming season as the undisputed focal point of Manchester United’s ongoing rebuild.
