Bruno Fernandes and Khadija Shaw have claimed top honors at the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards, with the Manchester United captain taking the men’s Player of the Year award and the Manchester City forward securing the women’s honor for the second time.
During an outstanding 2025-26 season, playmaker Bruno Fernandes set a Premier League record with 21 assists, surpassing the previous mark shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
In addition to his assists, the 31-year-old scored nine goals as United recovered from a difficult first half of the season under manager Michael Carrick, ultimately securing third place in the Premier League and qualifying for the Champions League.
The midfielder expressed his gratitude after being voted the winner by his peers across the league.
"It is obviously a very proud moment,” he said. "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.”
By winning the award, the Portuguese player ended a long drought for the Red Devils, becoming United’s first recipient since Wayne Rooney in the 2009-10 season. He also added the PFA honor to the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award he received in May.
Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw claimed her second PFA Women’s Player of the Year award, completing an impressive double alongside her earlier FWA recognition.
First winning the award in 2023-24, the 29-year-old reclaimed the trophy after scoring 21 goals to secure her third consecutive Golden Boot and help Manchester City win their first Women’s Super League championship.
Arsenal’s Olivia Smith was named the PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year for the second consecutive season after following her 2025 breakthrough at Liverpool with another strong campaign in London.
Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly claimed the men’s Young Player of the Year award after a standout season that saw him help England to a bronze medal at the World Cup.
The 21-year-old was also selected to the PFA Premier League Team of the Year alongside City teammates Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo.
"I had a great season. I’m very proud of the season I had,” O’Reilly said. "I won two trophies with my club and managed to play at the World Cup with my country. I’m over the moon with how it turned out.”
Premier League champions Arsenal had five players named to the team: David Raya, Gabriel, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, the PFA Player of the Year, and Brentford striker Igor Thiago completed the lineup.
The PFA Women’s Super League Team of the Year featured three players from champions Manchester City: Lauren Hemp, Kerstin Casparij and Yui Hasegawa.
Last year’s PFA Women’s Player of the Year, Mariona Caldentey, joined Arsenal teammates Emily Fox and Alessia Russo in the XI. Tottenham defender Toko Koga and Manchester United’s Jess Park were also selected, along with Chelsea trio Hannah Hampton, Ellie Carpenter and Lauren James.
Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish and former England international Karen Carney received PFA Merit Awards for their contributions to soccer.
Dalglish enjoyed a decorated playing career with Celtic and Liverpool and earned 102 Scotland caps, a national record.
The 75-year-old later became a successful manager, guiding Liverpool to three league titles and Blackburn to the Premier League championship.
Carney made 144 appearances for England and was part of the Lionesses squad that finished third at the 2015 World Cup.
After coming through Birmingham’s academy, she won the quadruple with Arsenal in 2007 and later claimed a league and FA Cup double with Chelsea in 2018.