Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been honoured as the men's PFA Players' Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season, while Manchester City forward Bunny Shaw captured the women's award for a second consecutive year. Fernandes, renowned for his creative playmaking, shattered the Premier League's all‑time assist record during an extraordinary campaign, delivering 21 assists and overtaking legends Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
In addition to his record‑breaking passing, the 31‑year‑old Portuguese midfielder found the back of the net nine times, helping United recover from a precarious start to the season and secure a third‑place finish under the guidance of manager Michael Carrick, thereby earning a return to the Champions League. Fernandes expressed immense pride in being voted the winner by his fellow professionals, noting the significance of being recognised by opponents who face him on the pitch. "It is obviously a very proud moment. They are the ones you go on the pitch against and it's probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment," he said.
His accolade marks the first time a Manchester United player has claimed the PFA Players' Player of the Year since Wayne Rooney's triumph in the 2009/10 season, and it adds to the Portugal international's recent Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award received in May. On the women's side, Manchester City sharpshooter Bunny Shaw, also a recipient of the FWA award, secured the PFA Women's Player of the Year title for the second time. The 29‑year‑old forward repeated her success from the 2023-24 season, scoring 21 goals, clinching a third consecutive Golden Boot, and guiding City to their inaugural Women's Super League championship. Arsenal midfielder Olivia Smith was honoured as the women's PFA Young Player of the Year for the second year running, following her 2025 award for her performances with Liverpool and her continued impact at Arsenal in London.
In the men's young‑player category, Manchester City’s versatile youngster Nico O'Reilly was named PFA Young Player of the Year after an impressive season that also saw him contribute to England's World Cup bronze medal finish. The 21‑year‑old featured in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year alongside City teammates Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo.
O'Reilly reflected on his achievements, stating, "I had a great season. I'm very proud of the season I had.
I won two trophies with my club and managed to play at the World Cup with my country. I'm over the moon how it turned out." Champions Arsenal boasted five representatives in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year – David Raya, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice – while United’s Fernandes and Brentford striker Igor Thiago rounded out the eleven.
The PFA Women's Super League Team of the Year featured three City players, with Shaw joined by teammates Kerstin Casparij and Yui Hasegawa. Former PFA Women's Player of the Year Mariona Caldentey was accompanied in the XI by Arsenal colleagues Emily Fox and Alessia Russo. Tottenham defender Toko Koga, Manchester United’s Jess Park, and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, Ellie Carpenter and Lauren James also earned places. Beyond the top flights, the PFA recognised excellence across the English Football League.
Former Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackey, who transferred to Everton for £24 million this summer, was named Championship PFA Players' Player of the Year. In League One, Dom Ballard, who moved from Leyton Orient to Bristol City earlier in the year, collected the award, while Swindon striker Aaron Drinan was honoured as the League Two Player of the Year. The PFA also presented merit awards to two footballing icons. Sir Kenny Dalglish received a merit award acknowledging his distinguished career as a player for Celtic and Liverpool, his record 102 caps for Scotland, and his successful managerial stints that included three league titles with Liverpool and guiding Blackburn Rovers to a Premier League title.
Dalglish, now 75, disclosed in June that he is undergoing treatment for cancer, prompting an outpouring of support from the football community. Karen Carney was likewise honoured for her contributions to the women's game. The former England international earned 144 caps and was part of the Lionesses squad that finished third at the 2015 World Cup. Rising through Birmingham's academy, Carney later achieved a historic quadruple with Arsenal in 2007 and added a league and FA Cup double with Chelsea in 2018.
Both Dalglish and Carney exemplify the lasting impact of dedication, talent and leadership within the sport. The awards ceremony highlighted the depth of talent across English football, celebrating both established stars and emerging prospects. It underscored the significance of peer recognition, with players voting for their colleagues, thereby reinforcing the respect and admiration that define the professional community.
As the new season approaches, the honoured players will look to build on their successes, while fans anticipate further moments of brilliance on the pitch.