Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scoops Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, City's Khadija Shaw wins women's award
By Ben Southby
Published 08/05/2026 at 19:31 GMT+1
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Bruno Fernandes has been named the Football Writers' Association's men's Footballer of the Year after a stellar season, while Khadija Shaw has taken home the women's award.
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Fernandes has enjoyed a tremendous campaign personally, leading a rejuvenated Manchester United side to third place in the Premier League table under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.
The Portugal international has scored eight goals in all competitions this season, while he has registered 20 assists.
Notably, he is one Premier League assist away from equalling the record set by both Thierry Henry for Arsenal in 2002/03 and Kevin De Bruyne for Manchester City in the 2019/20 campaign.
He has three matches remaining to potentially equal or even break the record, as United face Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton & Hove Albion to wrap up their league campaign.
Despite the Red Devils being set to go a second successive season without a trophy, Fernandes has become the first United player since Wayne Rooney in 2010 to win the award.
”It’s fantastic, I’m delighted for Bruno and I think he fully deserves it," Carrick said of his skipper.
”With an award like this that’s judged over such a long period of time, I think whoever gets it is fully deserving of it.
”And I think Bruno, this season that he’s had, and certainly since I’ve been here, how he’s performed and the impact that he’s had on the group, has been fantastic.
”Fully deserved and delighted that he’s got an award like that and he’s one of ours. I don’t think he’s necessarily an individual award-type driven player. I think he’s a team player.
”He shows that in his leadership and he’s the captain and he leads his group.
"It just shows that consistency over a long period of time, the level of performance against some fantastic players that are in our league. For him to get the award is marvellous.”
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Fernandes edged Declan Rice to win the award with 45% of the votes. The Arsenal midfielder finished in second place as The Gunners continue to compete for an illustrious Premier League and UEFA Champions League double.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland came third after his 36-goal season in all competitions so far, while the Gunners trio of David Raya, Gabriel and Bukayo Saka were also among the candidates.
Fernandes joined United in 2020 for a reported £67.7 million, and has arguably enjoyed his best individual season at Old Trafford.
It was reported that there was interest from Saudi Pro League clubs last summer, but he was convinced to stay by then-head coach Ruben Amorim.
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Khadija Shaw has helped Manchester City to the WSL title
Image credit: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw was named women's Footballer of the Year after her impact at Man City.
City won the Women's Super League for the first time in 10 years, and Shaw chipped in with a title-winning 19 goals in 21 games, which also earned her the Golden Boot.
Andree Jeglertz's team saw off rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and United to claim only their second WSL title.
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