Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has been honoured as the men's PFA Players' Player of the Year for the 2025/26 campaign, while Manchester City forward Bunny Shaw secured the women's accolade for a second consecutive season. Fernandes, the creative engine of United, shattered the Premier League's all‑time assist record this term, delivering 21 goal‑setting passes and overtaking the tallies of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. In addition to his playmaking feats, the 31‑year‑old netted nine goals, helping United recover from a turbulent start to finish third under caretaker manager Michael Carrick and clinch a return to the Champions League. The award holds special meaning for Fernandes because it was voted for by his fellow professionals – the very players he lines up against each week.
"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 after the ceremony.
His triumph marks the first time a United player has collected the PFA Players' Player trophy since Wayne Rooney's win in the 2009/10 season, and it adds to the Portugal international's recent haul of the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award earned in May. On the women's side, City sharpshooter Bunny Shaw was once again recognised as the PFA Women's Player of the Year. The 29‑year‑old, who also collected the Football Writers' Association award, repeated her 2023‑24 success by scoring 21 goals, securing a third straight Golden Boot and playing a pivotal role in City’s maiden Women's Super League title. Shaw's consistency and clinical finishing have cemented her status as one of the league's premier attackers.
Arsenal’s rising star Olivia Smith captured the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year title for the second year running. After winning the 2025 award for her performances with Liverpool, Smith continued her impressive form after moving to the capital, proving herself a vital component of Arsenal’s attacking line‑up. In the men’s young‑player category, Manchester City’s versatile youngster Nico O'Reilly was named PFA Young Player of the Year. The 21‑year‑old enjoyed a breakout season, contributing to City’s domestic dominance and helping England secure a bronze medal at the World Cup.
O'Reilly also earned a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year alongside City teammates Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo. Reflecting on his achievements, O'Reilly said, "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 were well represented in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, with David Raya, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice all making the squad, while United’s Fernandes and Brentford striker Igor Thiago completed the eleven. The PFA Women’s Super League Team of the Year featured three City players: Shaw alongside teammates Kerstin Casparij and Yui Hasegawa. Former Women’s Player of the Year Mariona Caldentey joined Arsenal’s Emily Fox and Alessia Russo in the lineup.
Tottenham defender Toko Koga, United’s Jess Park and Chelsea’s trio of Hannah Hampton, Ellie Carpenter and Lauren James also earned spots. Further down the English football pyramid, former Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackey, who transferred to Everton for a reported £24 million this summer, was named the Championship PFA Players' Player of the Year. In League One, Dom Ballard, who moved from Leyton Orient to Bristol City earlier in the season, collected the award, while Swindon striker Aaron Drinan was honoured as the League Two Player of the Year. The evening also recognised lifetime contributions to the sport.
Sir Kenny Dalglish and former England international Karen Carney received the PFA Merit Awards. Dalglish, a 75‑year‑old legend, enjoyed a glittering playing career with Celtic and Liverpool, earning 102 caps for Scotland, before guiding Liverpool to three league titles as a manager and later delivering Blackburn Rovers’ surprise Premier League triumph.
In June, Dalglish disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for cancer, drawing widespread support from the football community. Karen Carney, a 144‑cap England veteran, was celebrated for her impact on the women’s game. Rising through Birmingham’s academy, Carney won a historic quadruple with Arsenal in 2007 and later added a league and FA Cup double with Chelsea in 2018.
She was also part of the Lionesses squad that secured third place at the 2015 World Cup. The awards ceremony highlighted the depth of talent across the English game, from the top flight down to the lower leagues, and underscored the importance of peer recognition. As the season progresses, the honoured players will look to build on their success, while fans anticipate further moments of brilliance on the pitch.