Fernandes and Shaw take top PFA honours

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has won the 2025-26 PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, while Manchester City striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has claimed the women’s prize for the second time.

The awards are voted for by fellow professional footballers, making the recognition particularly significant for both players.

Fernandes leads United revival

Fernandes was central to Manchester United’s turnaround last season. After a difficult opening half of the campaign, United finished third in the Premier League under Michael Carrick and secured a return to the Champions League.

The Portugal midfielder created 21 league goals, breaking the Premier League assist record previously held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. He also scored nine times.

“It is obviously a very proud moment,” Fernandes said. “They are the ones you go on the pitch against, and it’s probably not easy to vote for someone you play against.”

Fernandes is the first United player to win the men’s award since Wayne Rooney in 2009-10. The honour follows his Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award, which he received earlier in the year.

Shaw wins again

Shaw’s award recognises another prolific season with Manchester City. She scored 21 goals, won her third successive WSL Golden Boot and helped City secure their first league title during her time at the club.

The Jamaica international previously won the PFA award in 2023-24, making her a two-time winner of the women’s honour.

Young players rewarded

Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly was named men’s Young Player of the Year after an impressive campaign at club and international level.

The 21-year-old helped England finish third at the World Cup and earned a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year alongside City teammates Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo.

Arsenal forward Olivia Smith retained the women’s Young Player of the Year award. It is the second consecutive season in which she has received the honour, following her continued development after moving from Liverpool to north London.

Premier League teams selected

Champions Arsenal supplied five players for the men’s Team of the Year: David Raya, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice.

Fernandes was United’s representative, while City also had O’Reilly, Haaland, Cherki and Semenyo selected. Brentford striker Igor Thiago completed the team.

The PFA WSL Team of the Year included three Manchester City players: Shaw, Kerstin Casparij and Yui Hasegawa. Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey, Emily Fox and Alessia Russo were also selected, alongside representatives from Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.

Dalglish and Carney receive merit awards

Sir Kenny Dalglish and former England international Karen Carney were presented with PFA merit awards for their outstanding contributions to football.

Dalglish enjoyed a decorated playing career with Celtic and Liverpool before managing Liverpool to three league titles and Blackburn Rovers to the Premier League championship.

Carney won major domestic honours with Arsenal and Chelsea and represented England 144 times, including at the 2015 Women’s World Cup.