Manchester United skipper 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 the second consecutive year. Fernandes, renowned for his creative midfield play, shattered the Premier League's all‑time assist record during an exceptional campaign, delivering 21 assists and overtaking the tallies of legends 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 secure a third‑place finish that guarantees a return to the UEFA Champions League under the guidance of manager Michael Carrick. The award holds special significance for Fernandes because it was voted on by his fellow professionals – the very players he competes against week in, week out. He expressed his pride, saying, "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." This accolade makes him the first United player to claim the PFA Players' Player of the Year since Wayne Rooney lifted the trophy in the 2009/10 season, and it adds to his recent Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award received in May.
On the women's side, Manchester City sharpshooter Bunny Shaw was 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 triumph by scoring 21 goals, securing a third straight Golden Boot, and playing a pivotal role in City’s maiden Women's Super League title. Her consistency and clinical finishing have cemented her reputation as one of the premier forwards in English women's football.
Arsenal midfielder Olivia Smith earned the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award for the second year running. After winning the 2025 edition while at Liverpool, Smith continued her impressive form after moving to the capital, showcasing her versatility and vision in midfield. In the men's game, Manchester City youngster Nico O'Reilly was named the PFA Men's Young Player of the Year. The 21‑year‑old enjoyed a breakout season, contributing to England's World Cup bronze medal run and earning a place 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 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, alongside United's Player of the Year Bruno Fernandes and Brentford striker Igor Thiago.
The PFA Women's Super League Team of the Year featured three City players – Shaw, Kerstin Casparij and Yui Hasegawa – while Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey, last year's PFA Women's Player of the Year, was joined by teammates Emily Fox and Alessia Russo. Tottenham defender Toko Koga, United's Jess Park, and Chelsea's trio of Hannah Hampton, Ellie Carpenter and Lauren James also earned places in the XI.
In the lower divisions, former Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackey, who completed a £24 million transfer to Everton this summer, was named the Championship PFA Players' Player of the Year. Dom Ballard, who moved from Leyton Orient to Bristol City earlier in the year, captured the League One award, and Swindon striker Aaron Drinan was honoured as the League Two Player of the Year. The PFA also presented merit awards to two of the game’s most respected figures.
Sir Kenny Dalglish was recognised for his extraordinary contributions as both a player and a manager. Dalglish enjoyed a glittering playing career with Celtic and Liverpool, earning 102 caps for Scotland, and later guided Liverpool to three league titles and masterminded Blackburn Rovers’ surprise Premier League triumph.
In June, he disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for cancer, a battle he faces with the same determination he showed on the pitch. Former England international Karen Carney received the women's merit award. Carney amassed 144 caps for England and was part of the Lionesses squad that secured third place at the 2015 World Cup.
Rising through Birmingham’s youth system, she later won a historic quadruple with Arsenal in 2007 and added a league and FA Cup double with Chelsea in 2018, underscoring her lasting impact on the women's game. These awards highlight a season of remarkable individual performances across all levels of English football, celebrating both established stars and emerging talents who have left an indelible mark on the sport. The PFA’s recognition serves not only as a testament to personal excellence but also as an illustration of the collective progress and growing competitiveness within both the men’s and women’s games.