At a Glance
- Manchester United’s Fernandes talked up for PFA award
- Carrick believes he deserves it
- Portuguese playmaker faces competition from Arsenal star
With Manchester United revitalised under interim manager Michael Carrick, the debate over whether Bruno Fernandes should be considered for Player of the Year is moving beyond whispers.
The Portuguese midfielder has been spellbinding this season, assisting 16 times in 27 league matches as United move up to 3rd in the table. Now, Carrick, who was in high spirits following the Aston Villa win, has backed him.
Manchester United prepare to face AFC Bournemouth on Friday (March 20th). In his pre-match press conference, Carrick faced questions about whether he would vote for Fernandes as Player of the Year.
The United boss replied (via the club’s website): “I think he’s had a fantastic season. It’s not about who I would vote for — I’m delighted that he’s playing so well and making such an impact for us. He’s proving himself right up there in those conversations.”
He added:
“I’d love to see him take the award, you know, and it says a lot about what’s going on at this club and how the team’s playing, as well as how well Bruno’s playing. So, we’ll have to see how that pans out, but really, really pleased with everything that he’s doing at the moment.”
Fernandes has yet to win the PFA Player of the Year award since joining the club in early 2020. This has undoubtedly been his best campaign for the Reds, but a lack of trophy success or title change could harm his chances.
Is Bruno in with a chance?
As it stands, Declan Rice is the odds-on bookies’ favourite to win the Professional Footballers’ Association Men’s Players’ Player of the Year. The Arsenal midfielder has been a steel backbone for the Gunners this season, as Mikel Arteta’s side looks to win their first league title since 2004.
But whilst Rice is currently top of the charts, assist king Fernandes is not too far behind.
With odds of 9/2 (via Oddschecker), Fernandes is the closest rival to the Arsenal midfielder. And you can only imagine how high it will go if he breaks the assist record.
The main argument against Fernandes right now is that he will end the season trophyless, likely in third position. Let’s look at where other winners finished.
PFA Player of Year awards for the Premier League era
| Year | Player | Club | Position club finished |
| 1992/93 | Paul McGrath | Aston Villa | 2nd |
| 1993/94 | Eric Cantona | Manchester United | 1st |
| 1994/95 | Alan Shearer | Blackburn Rovers | 1st |
| 1995/96 | Les Ferdinand | Newcastle | 2nd |
| 1996/97 | Alan Shearer | Newcastle | 2nd |
| 1997/98 | Denis Bergkamp | Arsenal | 1st |
| 1998/99 | David Ginola | Tottenham Hotspur | 11th |
| 1999/00 | Roy Keane | Manchester United | 1st |
| 2000/01 | Teddy Sheringham | Manchester United | 1st |
| 2001/02 | Ruud Van Nistlerooy | Manchester United | 2nd |
| 2002/03 | Thierry Henry | Arsenal | 2nd |
| 2003/04 | Thierry Henry | Arsenal | 1st |
| 2004/05 | John Terry | Chelsea | 1st |
| 2005/06 | Steven Gerrard | Liverpool | 3rd |
| 2006/07 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United | 1st |
| 2007/08 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United | 1st |
| 2008/09 | Ryan Giggs | Manchester United | 1st |
| 2009/10 | Wayne Rooney | Manchester United | 2nd |
| 2010/11 | Gareth Bale | Tottenham Hotspur | 5th |
| 2011/12 | Robin Van Persie | Arsenal | 3rd |
| 2012/13 | Gareth Bale | Tottenham Hotspur | 5th |
| 2013/14 | Luis Suarez | Liverpool | 2nd |
| 2014/15 | Eden Hazard | Chelsea | 1st |
| 2015/16 | Riyadh Mahrez | Leicester | 1st |
| 2016/17 | N’Golo Kante | Chelsea | 1st |
| 2017/18 | Mohammed Salah | Liverpool | 4th |
| 2018/19 | Virgin Van Dijk | Liverpool | 2nd |
| 2019/20 | Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 2nd |
| 2020/21 | Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 1st |
| 2021/22 | Mohammed Salah | Liverpool | 2nd |
| 2022/23 | Erling Haaland | Manchester City | 1st |
| 2023/24 | Phil Foden | Manchester City | 1st |
| 2024/25 | Mohammed Salah | Liverpool | 1st |
In the 33 completed seasons of the Premier League, the team that comes first tends to have the player who wins the player of the season. But not always.
The champions have had 17/33 winners—marginally above half—whilst the remaining 16 winners have come in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or, in David Genola’s case, 11th. So why should Fernandes not win?
Could he do it?
There is no doubt that Declan Rice is a superb player. He is the backbone of a well-oiled Arsenal side, which Mikel Arteta has carefully constructed.
Fernandes is one of the most exciting players in the world to watch. In a time when sides resemble machines more than men—with this Arsenal side at the forefront—the United skipper shines as a spark of pure footballing flair.
A footballer you cannot predict. He exudes class and elegance on the ball. His 96 chances created in the league this season dwarfs Decalan Rice’s 56, who sits in second place.
Rice could win it. Fernandes could win it. A third choice player, whom we have not discussed, could win it. But to suggest the Red Devils’ midfield maestro stands no chance of winning the award would be egregious.
