Fernandes Claims Football...

Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, has been honored with the Football Writers’ Association’s Men’s Footballer of the Year award.

This season, the midfielder has netted eight goals and assisted 20 in 34 matches across all competitions for the Red Devils.

Fernandes secured 45% of the votes from over 900 FWA members, surpassing Arsenal‘s Declan Rice, who finished second, and Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland in third place by 28 votes.

The Portugal international has been instrumental in United’s resurgence under interim manager Michael Carrick.

Though United are set to end the season without silverware for the second consecutive year, they are on track to secure a third-place finish in the Premier League, ensuring qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Fernandes is the first United player to receive the FWA men’s award since Wayne Rooney in 2010.

The 31-year-old joined the club from Sporting CP in January 2020 for £67.7 million and reached his 300th appearance earlier this season.

His remarkable performance in the 2025-26 campaign comes after some uncertainty regarding his future at Old Trafford.

At the close of last season, the club informed Fernandes that they would not obstruct his move if he wanted to accept a substantial offer from Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

However, Fernandes declined the offer and later rejected interest from other European clubs to continue with United.

His current contract runs until 2027 with an option for an additional year.

Given his stellar performances this season, it would be surprising if United did not propose a new contract, despite co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s efforts to reduce wage expenses.

Fernandes stated last October that he would not discuss his future until after the upcoming World Cup.

Analysis: Fernandes delivered when United needed

Bruno Fernandes has undeniably received support from Manchester United for this award.

The club has been vocal in promoting Fernandes’ achievements and has facilitated his media engagements recently.

However, such efforts would have been in vain had Fernandes not performed at a critical time in the season.

In October, when he discussed the team’s Champions League qualification, few believed it was a realistic prospect.

When technical director Jason Wilcox reiterated this goal in January despite Ruben Amorim’s departure, it appeared a daunting task.

The fact that they have achieved this with three matches remaining, and could finish the season closer in points to the champions than they have since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 13 years ago, is largely due to Fernandes’ contributions.

Since returning from a rare injury against Burnley, his victory against Liverpool was only the third of 16 matches where Fernandes did not either score or create a goal.

His consistent high-level performances this season warrant greater acknowledgment.

A year ago, amidst speculation regarding Fernandes’ future, the pressing question was: where would United be without him?

The consensus was that they would likely be battling relegation.

The same query can be posed today: would they be on the brink of a Champions League return? The likely answer is no.