Bruno Fernandes crowned Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year
By Joel Masibo, May 9, 2026Bruno Fernandes has been crowned the men’s Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association following an outstanding campaign with Manchester United.
The Portuguese playmaker has registered eight goals and 20 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils this term. He secured 45 per cent of the votes cast by more than 900 FWA members. Fernandes edged out Declan Rice of Arsenal by 28 votes, while Erling Haaland from Manchester City finished third in the standings.
The 31-year-old has been instrumental in United’s improved displays since interim manager Michael Carrick took charge. Although the club is expected to end the campaign without silverware for a second straight year, they remain on track for a third-place finish in the Premier League and qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Fernandes becomes the first United player to receive the FWA men’s honour since Wayne Rooney achieved the feat in 2010.
Fernandes arrival
The midfielder arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting CP in January 2020 in a deal worth £67.7 million and recently marked his 300th appearance for the club.
His brilliant 2025-26 season comes after uncertainty over his future last year. United officials had informed him they would not block a transfer should he choose to accept a lucrative move to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. However, Fernandes opted to stay and later turned down approaches from several European sides.
His current contract runs until 2027 and reportedly includes an option for an extra year. Following his influential performances this season, United are now expected to consider offering him improved terms despite co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe aiming to reduce the club’s wage bill.
Key contribution analysis
There is little argument that Manchester United strongly backed Bruno Fernandes in the race for the award.
The club actively highlighted the Portuguese midfielder’s credentials and gave him increased exposure through several recent media appearances.
Still, none of that support would have mattered if Fernandes had failed to perform during the most crucial stages of the campaign.
Back in October, his comments about securing a UEFA Champions League place were viewed with scepticism by many supporters and pundits.
Even in January, when technical director Jason Wilcox informed the squad that Champions League qualification remained the objective despite the departure of Ruben Amorim, the target appeared highly unrealistic.
Yet United managed to secure that objective with three fixtures remaining, and they could still finish closer in points to the league winners than at any time since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club 13 years ago. Fernandes has played a massive part in making that possible.
Since recovering from an uncommon injury suffered against Burnley, the recent win over Liverpool marked only the third occasion in 16 matches across all competitions where Fernandes neither found the net nor provided an assist.
Throughout the season, his displays have remained at an elite level and fully deserving of broader acclaim.
A year ago, amid growing speculation surrounding his future at Old Trafford, many questioned how United would cope without him.
At the time, there was a genuine feeling the club could have found itself battling much closer to the relegation zone.
That same question can still be asked today, and the likely response is clear, without Fernandes, United would almost certainly not be preparing for a return to the Champions League