Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season, while Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has been included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
Fernandes was recognised by his fellow professionals at the 53rd annual PFA Awards ceremony at the Manchester Opera House in Manchester on Tuesday evening, completing a remarkable individual campaign with another major honour
The Portuguese midfielder was instrumental in Manchester United’s revival under Michael Carrick, helping the Red Devils finish third in the Premier League and secure Champions League football.
Fernandes also set a new Premier League record with 21 assists during the campaign, surpassing the previous benchmark jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne by one. He also scored nine goals as United transformed their fortunes during the second half of the season.
The award makes Fernandes the first Manchester United player to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year prize since Wayne Rooney in the 2009/10 season.
He also adds the honour to the Premier League Player of the Season, Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year and Manchester United’s Player of Year awards he collected for the same campaign.
Fernandes Recognised By His Peers
The PFA award is particularly significant because it is voted for by professional footballers, with players selecting those they believe performed at the highest level during the season.
The PFA also presents Young Player of the Year awards and divisional Teams of the Year across the English professional game.
Fernandes beat Arsenal trio David Raya, Gabriel Magalhães and Declan Rice, alongside Manchester City pair Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, to the prestigious men’s award.
Arsenal’s three nominees were key figures in the club’s first Premier League title triumph in 23 years, while Haaland finished as the league’s leading scorer with 27 goals.
Reflecting on his earlier Player of the Season recognition, Fernandes said: “Thank you, guys, obviously this is an individual award but it comes because we had a very good season together.”
That sentiment underlined the collective contribution behind his individual success, with the United captain repeatedly acknowledging his teammates and staff throughout his award-winning campaign.
O’Reilly Claims Young Player of the Year
Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly was named PFA Young Player of the Year after a breakthrough season in which he became an important member of Pep Guardiola’s side.
The 21-year-old made 53 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing six assists.
O’Reilly also earned his first senior England cap and was named in the PFA Team of the Year.
Earlier in the season, after being named Manchester City’s Player of the Season, he said: “I’m grateful for everything,” while also thanking the fans, teammates and staff who had contributed to his development.
Semenyo Earns Place Among Premier League’s Elite
Antoine Semenyo’s inclusion provides a significant Ghanaian presence in the prestigious XI following an impressive campaign split between Bournemouth and Manchester City.
The forward joined City during the January transfer window and continued his strong form after moving to the Etihad. He was also part of City’s FA Cup triumph, producing the decisive moment in the final against Chelsea.
Semenyo finished the season with 21 goals and six assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
The PFA Premier League Team of the Year is completed by David Raya in goal; Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba and Nico O’Reilly in defence; Declan Rice, Rayan Cherki and Fernandes in midfield; and Igor Thiago, Erling Haaland and Semenyo in attack.
Arsenal supplied five players, while Manchester City contributed four. Fernandes and Brentford’s Thiago were the only representatives from outside those two clubs, underlining the dominance of the Premier League’s leading sides in the annual selection.
The PFA Awards, one of English football’s most prominent annual ceremonies, bring together players from across the professional game to recognise individual excellence and outstanding contributions over the course of the season.
This year’s ceremony at the historic Manchester Opera House provided the stage for Fernandes to cap a record-setting campaign with the ultimate endorsement from his fellow professionals.
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