Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named the Men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season after an outstanding campaign that saw him break the Premier League record for most assists in a single season.
Fernandes was voted for by his fellow professionals at the 2026 Professional Footballers’ Association Awards, beating Manchester City duo Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland, as well as Arsenal trio Gabriel Magalhães, David Raya and Declan Rice, to the prestigious award.
The 31-year-old registered 21 assists in 35 Premier League appearances, surpassing the previous record of 20 jointly held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
His performances were instrumental in helping Manchester United finish third in the Premier League and secure a return to the Champions League.
Manchester City and Jamaica forward Khadija “Bunny” Shaw was named the Women’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year after another prolific season.
Shaw scored 21 goals in 22 appearances as Manchester City won their second Women’s Super League title. The forward also claimed her third consecutive WSL Golden Boot and became the first player to score at least 20 goals in three different WSL seasons.
Meanwhile, Manchester City defender Nico O’Reilly won the Men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award after establishing himself as a regular in Pep Guardiola’s side.
The 21-year-old recorded five goals and eight goal involvements in 34 league appearances and also scored twice in Manchester City’s League Cup final victory over Arsenal.
Arsenal forward Olivia Smith retained the Women’s PFA Young Player of the Year award after scoring 10 goals in all competitions during her first season with the Gunners. The Canada international became only the second player, after Lauren Hemp, to win the award more than once.
The PFA Awards also recognised former England international Karen Carney and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish with PFA Merit Awards.
2026 PFA Premier League Team of the Year
Goalkeeper: David Raya — Arsenal
Defenders: Jurriën Timber — Arsenal, William Saliba — Arsenal, Gabriel Magalhães — Arsenal, Nico O’Reilly — Manchester City
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes — Manchester United, Declan Rice — Arsenal, Rayan Cherki — Manchester City
Forwards: Erling Haaland — Manchester City, Antoine Semenyo — Manchester City, Igor Thiago — Brentford
Arsenal had five players represented in the Team of the Year, while Manchester City contributed four. Fernandes and Brentford striker Igor Thiago completed the XI.
The Women’s Super League Team of the Year featured three players each from Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal, with Manchester United’s Jess Park and Tottenham defender Toko Koga also making the selection.
