Fernandes’ accolade was driven by a historic creative performance throughout the Premier League season. He established a new all-time record for assists in a single campaign, providing 21 goals for his teammates and surpassing the previous benchmarks set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. In addition to his playmaking duties, Fernandes contributed nine goals, helping Manchester United recover from a difficult start to the season to secure a third-place finish and a return to the Champions League under manager Michael Carrick.
A Season of Recognition and Collective Success
Reflecting on the achievement, Fernandes expressed his gratitude for the recognition from his peers. He noted that receiving an award voted for by fellow professionals, whom he faces on the pitch, made the moment particularly meaningful. This PFA honour adds to his collection for the season, having already been named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year this past May.
The awards ceremony also highlighted the dominance of Manchester City in the women's game, with Khadija Shaw claiming the PFA Women’s Player of the Year award for the second time. Shaw’s recognition followed a prolific season where she netted 21 goals, securing her third consecutive Golden Boot and helping City capture their first Women’s Super League title in ten years.
Young Talent and Team of the Year Honours
Manchester City’s success extended to the men’s young player category, with 21-year-old Nico O’Reilly receiving the award. O’Reilly’s season included a brace in the League Cup final victory over Arsenal and a key role in the club's FA Cup triumph. The England international described the year as a proud period, citing his club success and his participation in the World Cup as highlights.
The PFA also announced the Premier League Team of the Year, which featured a heavy presence from league champions Arsenal. The Gunners saw five players selected: David Raya, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber, and Declan Rice. Manchester City contributed four players to the XI, including Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and Antoine Semenyo alongside O’Reilly. Bruno Fernandes and Brentford’s Igor Thiago rounded out the team.
