Rooney vouches for Bruno to win PFA player of the year award
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney believes club captain Bruno Fernandes stands above the rest as the rightful winner of this season’s PFA Player of the Year award.
Bruno’s influence
As the campaign edges closer to its finale, Fernandes has delivered standout performances for Manchester United, putting up remarkable statistics and closing in on the Premier League’s all-time assist milestone. The Portuguese playmaker is just three assists shy of surpassing the joint record of 20 currently held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
You might also like
Having consistently influenced matches and inspired his teammates, Fernandes has been central to United’s attacking output throughout the season.
Rooney, who recently linked up with Fernandes at Carrington for an interview, made it clear he sees no other contender for the accolade.
Rooney’s views
“So we’re coming towards the end of the season, Player of the Year is coming up. I genuinely think this year you should win it,” Rooney began.
“What you bring to the team, when the teams going through a bad period, you’re there consistently and you’re leading. I think you are the perfect example to your team-mates. I think you’ll win it. I think you should win it. I think you will win it and if you don’t…” Rooney added.
Fernandes, clearly appreciative of the praise, described the recognition as special while reflecting on his own performances this season.
“It’s a huge privilege to be in the conversation, obviously, as a player, you can say as many times as you want to win trophies collectively and that’s true,” the Portuguese forward said.
Individual accolades
“But these individual accolades are always nice for you and your personal side. You don’t need the accolades to know if you have had a good season or not, but when you know it is players who vote for you, that has a little bit of a different impact because it is those players who you have been playing against. If they recognise you as the best in the league or the best in the league for that season it is a huge privilege,” he added.
“I am aware that players that win the league get closer to those trophies and to win that, because we always put together on the same plate, winning the league by a player that is always going to have a certain weight [of impact].”
“I think I have done very well this season and getting into this conversation is already a privilege. I am not really focused on that, of course I would be more than happy to win it, that’s not a lie on that, but if I do end up winning it would be unbelievable because I’ve never done it before.”
“So it’s a privilege and an honour, but I think there is other players that have done a very good season, different ways, different play styles, stuff like that, lets see who gets it at the end of the season.” Fernandes said.
United, now under the guidance of Michael Carrick, are set to return to Premier League action against Brentford FC at Old Trafford on Monday night, April 27, 2026, with Fernandes remaining focused on finishing the season strongly regardless of individual accolades.
