Bruno Fernandes Claims PFA Honours as Arsenal Stars Shine in Premier League Team of the Year

Key Takeaways:

• Bruno Fernandes was awarded the PFA Premier League Player of the Year after breaking the single-season assist record with 21 assists during the 2025-26 campaign
• Arsenal featured four players in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, the most of any club, while Nico O’Reilly and Olivia Smith secured Young Player of the Year awards
• Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw received the Women’s Player of the Year award for a second time after finishing as the Women’s Super League top scorer with 21 goals

Individual Honours for Outstanding 2025-26 Campaigns

Bruno Fernandes has collected the 2025-26 Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year award, following a remarkable season orchestrating Manchester United’s attack. The Portuguese playmaker set a new Premier League benchmark by providing 21 assists, and he also contributed nine goals as United finished third in the league table.

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0NEZ6Q3AGV

— PFA (@PFA) August 25, 2026

Fernandes, who took on the club captaincy and has been with United since 2020, becomes the second Portuguese player to earn this distinction for the men’s annual award, after Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the accolade in 2007 and 2008. The award, determined by votes from members of the players’ union, has now recognised a Manchester United player 12 times – a record among English and Welsh clubs.

The United midfielder’s achievements have placed him amongst the club’s all-time greats, with 110 goals and 106 assists in 314 matches. His 200th goal contribution arrived in fewer matches than anyone except Wayne Rooney, who accomplished the feat in 295 appearances.

Women’s and Young Player Awards

Khadija Shaw, Manchester City’s prolific striker, reclaimed the Women’s Player of the Year award, securing the honour for the second time after topping the Women’s Super League scoring charts with 21 goals. Shaw previously captured the award in 2024.

In the male youth category, 21-year-old Manchester City left back Nico O’Reilly was recognised for a breakthrough season in which he played 53 matches across all competitions and scored nine goals. O’Reilly was also the recipient of the Premier League Young Player of the Season honour.

Arsenal’s striker Olivia Smith, aged 22, continued her sterling progress, bagging the Women’s Young Player of the Year award for a consecutive year.

Team of the Season: Arsenal Dominate Selections

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year saw Arsenal contribute four players to the line-up, illustrating the club’s depth of talent throughout the campaign. Manchester City were also well-represented, while Brentford’s Igor Thiago earned a spot in attack.