Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named the Premier League Player of the Season after an outstanding individual campaign for the Red Devils.
The 31-year-old enjoyed the best creative season of his career, scoring eight league goals and equalling the Premier League record for most assists in a single season with 20. Fernandes now shares the record with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Historic creative output
His performances were instrumental in helping Manchester United secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Fernandes becomes the first United player to win the award since Nemanja Matić claimed the honour during the 2010/11 season.
He is also the seventh Manchester United player to receive the award, joining a prestigious list that includes Peter Schmeichel, Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Award recognition and rivals
The Portuguese midfielder had already been crowned Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year earlier this month, capping what has been a remarkable campaign at Old Trafford.
Fernandes beat strong competition to the award, including Arsenal trio David Raya, Gabriel Magalhães and Declan Rice.
Manchester City pair Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo were also shortlisted, alongside Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest and Brentford striker Igor Thiago.
