**Man United’s Fernandes, City’s Shaw Named PFA Players of the Year**
In a celebration of individual excellence in football, Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City's Khadija Shaw have been awarded the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year titles for their outstanding performances during the 2025-26 season. The awards were announced on August 25, 2026, marking a significant achievement for both players in their respective leagues.
Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, was recognized as the Men's PFA Players' Player of the Year. The Portuguese international had a remarkable season, breaking the Premier League assists record by setting up 21 goals, surpassing the previous record held by football legends Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. In addition to his assists, Fernandes also contributed nine goals, helping Manchester United recover from a challenging start to the season. Under the management of Michael Carrick, United finished third in the Premier League, securing a return to the UEFA Champions League.
Expressing his pride at receiving the award, Fernandes acknowledged the significance of being recognized by his peers. "It is obviously a very proud moment. They are the ones you go on the pitch against, and it’s probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment,” he stated. This accolade follows his earlier recognition as the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in May.
On the women's side, Khadija Shaw of Manchester City was honored as the Women's PFA Players' Player of the Year, marking the second time she has received this prestigious award. Shaw's exceptional performance included scoring 21 goals, which earned her the Golden Boot for the third consecutive season. Her contributions were pivotal in leading Manchester City to their first Women’s Super League title in a decade, solidifying her status as one of the league's top players.
In addition to the main awards, Manchester City celebrated further success with Nico O’Reilly being named the Men’s Young Player of the Year. The 21-year-old had a standout season, scoring twice in the League Cup final against Arsenal and playing a crucial role in City’s FA Cup victory. O’Reilly expressed his happiness with his season, stating, “I’m very proud of the season I had. I won two trophies with my club and managed to play at the World Cup with my country. I’m over the moon with how it turned out.”
The PFA also announced the Team of the Year, which featured several players from both Manchester clubs and other top teams. City’s O’Reilly was joined by teammates Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and Antoine Semenyo in the prestigious lineup. Arsenal, the Premier League champions, had five representatives: David Raya, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice. Fernandes and Brentford’s Igor Thiago completed the eleven.
The recognition of Fernandes and Shaw highlights the growing talent and competitive spirit in both men's and women's football, showcasing the players' contributions to their teams and the league as a whole. As the football community reflects on the past season, both players will look to build on their successes in the upcoming campaigns.