By Kwame Bediako
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been named English Premier League Player of the Year for the 2025–26 season, edging out competition from Arsenal’s David Raya, Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Ghana international Antoine Semenyo. The award is decided by a combined vote of fans and a panel of experts.
Why Fernandes won
The 31‑year‑old has scored eight goals and provided 20 assists, matching the joint‑highest assist tally in a single Premier League season, with one game still to play.
He also leads the league for chances created with 132, 43 more than Liverpool’s second‑placed Dominik Szoboszlai, underlining his central role in United’s attacking output.
Awards sweep and Arsenal competition
This is Fernandes’ second major individual honour this season, having already been voted Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year earlier in May.
His rivals included Arsenal’s Golden Glove‑winning goalkeeper David Raya (three‑time winner) and standout defenders and midfielders Gabriel Magalhães and Declan Rice, who were instrumental in Arsenal’s 22‑year‑drought‑ending league title triumph.
Bruno now has a final chance to extend his assist record and boost his creative numbers when Manchester United face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, May 24, the last matchday of the season.
