Bruno Fernandes wins Football Writers' Association men's player of the year

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsBruno Fernandes wins Football Writers’ Association men’s player of the yearFernandes has scored eight goals and provided a league-high 19 assists this term Carl Recine/Getty Images Share article6Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has won the Football Writers’ Association men’s footballer of the year award for the 2025-26 season. It is the first time in nine years that the award has not gone to a Liverpool or Manchester City player, with N’Golo Kante in 2017 the last player outside of those title challengers to win. It is also the first time since Gareth Bale, for Tottenham Hotspur in 2013, that the award has gone to a player from outside the top two finishing teams. The United playmaker beat Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice by 28 votes, with Erland Haaland of Manchester City completing the top three. Fernandes, 31, is one away from the Premier League’s single-season assist record (20) with three games left to play. He has created the most chances of any other player in the league this season, with 120 as of May 2026. Goalscorer.Assist provider.Award winner. Presenting @TheOfficialFWA Footballer of the Year for 2025/26: @B_Fernandes8! 🏆❤️ pic.twitter.com/HfDMeepM33 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 8, 2026 He has also been key in United’s return to the Champions League, which was secured with victory over Liverpool last weekend. The Portugal international has appeared in 34 of the team’s 37 matches this season, registering a total of eight goals and 21 assists. The midfielder has been United’s player of the season in four of the seven campaigns he has played in since signing from Sporting CP in January 2020, with this year’s yet to be decided. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (2022) and Marcus Rashford (2023) have bested him. Analysis by Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell Fernandes is United’s first FWA winner since Wayne Rooney took the award in 2010, a sign of the club’s barren years when it comes to the biggest team trophies. Only Mohamed Salah has been voted top when not winning the title in the last decade (twice), but Scott Parker, Robin van Persie, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Rooney and Steven Gerrard all did the same in six consecutive years after Cristiano Ronaldo won the second of his two prizes in 2008. Fernandes has no doubt benefitted from focussing on the Premier League, only playing two games outside the competition, and his position switch since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim. Moving from a deeper midfield role to his customary No 10 has rocket fuelled his chance creation. Out of his 19 assists, 12 have come since Amorim left. Although he has scored eight goals, his campaign has been one of artistry and setting up others. Fernandes has created 120 chances in this Premier League campaign, nearly double the next closest player in Dominik Szoboszlai (65). Even from open play his number for chances is 86, well ahead of second-placed Florian Wirtz (57). Fernandes also has the most big chances (30), clear of Rayan Cherki next up (18). He has spearheaded United’s rise to third-place, the beating heart of the side who gives his time and expertise warmly to fans and academy players. He is a deep thinker and smart articulator of the game; a worthy winner. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms