Bruno Fernandes Wins FWA Men's Footballer of the Year Award

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has won the Football Writers' Association's men's Footballer of the Year award.

The midfielder scored eight goals and provided 20 assists in 34 games across all competitions for the Red Devils this season. The Portugal international played a key role in United's improved form under interim boss Michael Carrick.

United will finish the season without a trophy for the second year in a row. But they are on course for third place in the Premier League and a spot in next season's Champions League.

Fernandes is the first United player to win the FWA men's award since Wayne Rooney in 2010.

The 31-year-old joined United from Portuguese club Sporting in January 2020 for £67.7 million. He reached his 300th appearance for the club earlier this season.

His strong 2025-26 campaign followed uncertainty over his future at Old Trafford. At the end of last season, club officials said they would not block a move if he accepted a big offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. Fernandes turned it down and rejected interest from other European teams to stay with United.

His contract expires in 2027 but includes an option for an additional year. Given his performances, United would likely offer a new deal despite co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's efforts to cut wage costs.

Fernandes said in October last year he would not discuss his future until after the upcoming World Cup.

Manchester United pushed hard for Fernandes to win the award. The club promoted his claims and arranged recent media engagements for the Portugal playmaker. But those efforts would have meant little without his on-field contributions at a critical time.

In October, few believed United could qualify for the Champions League. In January, technical director Jason Wilcox set that goal for the squad despite Ruben Amorim's dismissal, and it seemed unlikely. Yet United secured it with three matches to spare. They could end the campaign closer in points to the champions than in any season since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement 13 years ago. Much of that success traces to Fernandes.

Since returning from a rare injury against Burnley, Sunday's victory over Liverpool was only the third match out of 16 in all competitions where Fernandes did not score or assist.

His consistently high performances merited wider recognition. Twelve months ago, amid debate over his future, the key question was where United would stand without him. The answer pointed to a fight against relegation. The same question applies today. Without him, they would not be gearing up for a Champions League return.