Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw have been named the Football Writers’ Association Players of the Year for 2025/26.
Fernandes has scored eight goals and provided 19 assists in the Premier League this season, becoming the first Old Trafford player to win the award since Wayne Rooney in 2009/10.
He joins an illustrious list of United players who have previously achieved this honour, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Teddy Sheringham, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, George Best, Bobby Charlton and Johnny Carey.
The 31-year-old playmaker has already helped United return to the Champions League and needs just one assist from the remaining three games to equal Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record for most assists in the top flight (20).
Double show! City striker wins again
Shaw becomes the second player to win the award following Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby in the 2023/24 season.
The Jamaican striker has scored 19 goals in 21 Women’s Super League games this season, helping City win their first title in 10 years, and is on track to win the WSL Golden Boot for the third consecutive season.
Sky Sports News reported that Shaw is set to leave City when his contract expires this summer and the striker is keen to explore his options despite winning the title.
The 29-year-old striker has scored an impressive 110 goals in 133 appearances for City since joining from Bordeaux in 2021, and is thought to have interest from other clubs, including in the United States, for Chelsea’s show.
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Check out Khadijah ‘Bunny’ Shaw’s best goals from the Women’s Super League 25/26 season as she races towards the Golden Boot!
Why was Fernandes nominated?
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Manchester United manager Michael Carrick and winger Amad Diallo spoke highly of Fernandes, who was named FWA Player of the Year.
Adam Bate of Sky Sports:
Declan Rice could give Arsenal a boost and push them towards a historic title win. There’s still time for Erling Haaland to fire Manchester City there. But Bruno Fernandes’ case has already been filed. He has been an outstanding player in the Premier League this season.
The Manchester United captain has already provided 19 assists in this competition, leaving him one step short of Kevin De Bruyne’s record set by Thierry Henry. Whether he surpasses them or not, his creativity in this campaign was on another level than anyone else’s.
According to Opta, Fernandes has created 120 chances this season. He has topped the Premier League charts in all but one of his last five seasons at United, finishing second only to Trent Alexander-Arnold in one season, which is already his best ever.
To put it in context, this is almost double the number of chances created by the second man on the list. And while his ability to make things happen from set-pieces is a hallmark of his game and this season, he’s collectively produced more from open play than anyone else.
There will still be critics. The usual abusive language at the away ground. Former players have doubts about him. But any suggestion that Fernandes lacks leadership qualities should have been dismissed long ago. He wasn’t the cause of United’s downturn, he was its victim.
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Fernandes talks about Gary Neville and his loyalty to Manchester United
Like Bryan Robson before him, Fernandes was a shining light during a difficult period in the club’s history. But his own standards still remain. Supporters and teammates alike appreciate that. “I feel he has a lot of value,” Matheus Cunha said recently.
“He helps everyone. He is a beautiful captain for the club. He has been through difficult moments and deserves to experience those beautiful moments as well. What a great player, what a great man. He deserves Player of the Year.” The Football Writers’ Association agrees.
