Bruno Fernandes wins Premier League player award

Bruno Fernandes was named the Premier League’s Player of the Season on Saturday, giving Manchester United’s captain the award for the first time after a campaign defined by chance creation and United’s return to the Champions League. The Premier League said Fernandes had directly contributed to 28 goals in 37 appearances, with eight goals and 20 assists. That assist total matches the single-season competition record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. The announcement was made a day before United’s final league game of the season against Brighton. ### How was the award confirmed? The Premier League announced on May 23 that Fernandes had won the EA Sports Player of the Season award for 2025-26. The league said the Portugal midfielder had been “the driving force” in a Manchester United side that secured third place and a Champions League berth. The shortlist published by the league last week showed Fernandes up against Arsenal’s Gabriel, David Raya and Declan Rice, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, Brentford’s Igor Thiago, and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The winner was decided by a combination of public votes and a panel of football experts, according to the Premier League. (premierleague.com) ### What made Fernandes’ season stand out? Fernandes finished the campaign with 20 league assists, a total the Premier League said equalled the record held by Henry and De Bruyne. He reached the mark in United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest last Sunday, when he set up Bryan Mbeumo’s goal. (premierleague.com) The league’s award citation said Fernandes had produced 28 direct goal contributions in 37 matches. NBC Sports, in a report on the award, said the season also carried United into third place in the table. Sky Sports reported Fernandes also won the Football Writers’ Association award this season. That outlet said he scored eight league goals and tied the assist mark on the way to the Premier League honor. (premierleague.com) ### Why did the reaction become part of the story? (premierleague.com) Social media reaction accelerated after posts on X circulated the award result and arguments over whether Fernandes was the right choice. The social briefing tied to this story said debate centered on his 20 assists, leadership and consistency, while critics argued other candidates had stronger cases. Kevin De Bruyne was cited in the same social briefing as publicly backing Fernandes and calling him “the best player in the league.” Reuters could not independently verify the X posts directly through search results available Saturday, but the quote and the reaction were reflected across the source briefings provided for this story. (skysports.com) ### Where does this leave Manchester United? Manchester United have already secured a top-three finish and a place in next season’s Champions League, according to the Premier League’s award announcement. The award adds an individual distinction to a season in which Fernandes was repeatedly central to United’s attacking output. The Premier League’s own awards page also shows Fernandes won the March Player of the Month prize, his sixth such award, drawing him level with Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally in that category. ### What happens next for Fernandes? Manchester United play Brighton on Sunday, May 24, in their final Premier League match of the season. (premierleague.com) The match gives Fernandes one more chance to move beyond 20 assists and take the record outright after drawing level with Henry and De Bruyne. (givemesport.com) (premierleague.com)