Fernandes Wins PFA Players' Player of the Year as Shaw Repeats Women's Triumph

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’s prolific 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 during a spectacular season, delivering 21 goal‑setting passes and overtaking the previous marks set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

In addition to his playmaking feats, the 31‑year‑old Portuguese international found the net nine times, helping United recover from a precarious start to the season and climb to a third‑place finish under the stewardship of Michael Carrick, thereby earning a return to the Champions League. When asked about the significance of being voted the best by his peers, Fernandes expressed genuine pride. “It’s an incredible moment,” he said.

“The people you face on the pitch are the ones casting the votes, and it isn’t easy to pick someone you regularly compete against, so this makes it even more special.” His triumph marks the first time a United player has collected the PFA Players’ Player award since Wayne Rooney’s victory in the 2009/10 season, adding to his recent Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year trophy awarded in May. On the women’s side, City’s sharpshooter Bunny Shaw was also recognised by the FWA and lifted the PFA Women’s Player of the Year trophy for the second year running. The 29‑year‑old’s 21‑goal haul secured her a third straight Golden Boot and helped City clinch the Women’s Super League title for the first time.

Arsenal’s rising star Olivia Smith claimed the Women’s PFA Young Player of the Year award for the second year in a row, after winning the 2025 version while representing Liverpool and continuing her impressive form after moving to the capital. In the men’s category, Manchester City’s versatile youngster Nico O’Reilly was named PFA Young Player of the Year following a breakout season that also saw him contribute to England’s World Cup bronze medal run. 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, “It’s been a fantastic season. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished – two club trophies and the chance to play at a World Cup for my country. I’m over the moon with how everything 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 earning spots, while United’s Fernandes and Brentford’s striker Igor Thiago completed the eleven.

The PFA Women’s Super League XI 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 side.

Tottenham defender Toko Koga, United’s Jess Park, and Chelsea’s trio of Hannah Hampton, Ellie Carpenter and Lauren James also made the squad. Further down the English football pyramid, former Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackey, who completed a £24 million move to Everton this summer, was voted the Championship PFA Players’ Player of the Year. In League One, Dom Ballard earned the same honour after his switch from Leyton Orient to Bristol City, while Swindon striker Aaron Drinan collected the League Two prize. The PFA also presented merit awards to Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney in recognition of their lifelong contributions to the game.

Dalglish, now 75, enjoyed a glittering playing career with Celtic and Liverpool, becoming Scotland’s most‑capped player with 102 appearances, and later guided Liverpool to three league titles as a manager before orchestrating Blackburn’s surprise Premier League triumph. In June, Dalglish disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for cancer, a battle he has faced with characteristic resilience. Karen Carney, a former England international with 144 caps, was celebrated for her impact both on and off the pitch. After rising through Birmingham’s youth system, she helped Arsenal secure a historic quadruple in 2007 and later added a league and FA Cup double with Chelsea in 2018.

Carney also featured in the Lionesses squad that finished third at the 2015 Women’s World Cup, cementing her legacy as one of England’s most decorated female players. The awards ceremony highlighted the depth of talent across the English game, from the Premier League’s glittering stars to the emerging prospects in the lower divisions, and honoured those whose careers have shaped football’s history. The night underscored the importance of peer recognition, with players voting for their colleagues, and reinforced the narrative that excellence, whether measured by goals, assists, or leadership, continues to be celebrated at every level of the sport.