At a glance
- Fernandes overtook David Beckham’s assist record
- Portuguese on track for PFA Player of the Year nomination
- Last United player to win award was Cristiano Ronaldo
It has been a record breaking season for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes so far. In the 3-1 win against Aston Villa, the midfielder broke David Beckham’s record of 15 assists in one season.
Fernandes is now on 16 assists, with 7 games left to add to his impressive tally, and, according to Squawka, he leads the Premier League this season in most assists (16), chances created (101), and big chances created (24).
Unfortunately, there will be no club silverware to show for it, given United’s early exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. However, he could be in line for some personal trophies in May.
Fernandes is a favourite to secure the club’s end-of-season accolades, likely the Fans Player of the Year or Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award. The latter is an award that he won in 2024/25 for a record-equalling fourth time.
Ballon d’Or nomination?
All this talk of personal accolades feels incomplete without mentioning the biggest won in world football: the Ballon d’Or. Since its inception, only four Manchester United players have won the coveted prize.
Denis Law (1964), Sir Bobby Charlton (1966), George Best (1968), and, most recently, Cristiano Ronaldo (2008) have won the award as Red Devils.
As United’s most successful signing since the Sir Alex Ferguson era ended, there is only one United man who should and could win it: Fernandes. The 2025/26 season feels like an apt time for his name to be considered, but it will not only depend on his performances in a United shirt.
World Cup success with Portugal will aid Ballon d’Or talk
In 2022, Lionel Messi won the World Cup with Argentina alongside teammate Lisandro Martinez. It was the last time that the Barcelona legend picked up the award. Having hit the twilight button on his career with a move to MLS, it seemed far-fetched for the Argentinian to win it.
The World Cup was the one trophy which slipped by him, yet securing the trophy in Qatar solidified his route to winning the Ballon d’Or for an eighth time.
Portugal are well-positioned to be a strong contender as a World Cup favourite this summer. They have a stacked squad and will also mirror their incentive of winning the World Cup for their superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in his last attempt.
If he performs in North America, Bruno’s name could be plastered across world headlines as someone who can contribute massively to Portugal’s successes. Although he wears the captain’s armband for United, he does not need it for Portugal despite being a senior leader within that squad.
In February, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez praised Fernandes. He said, “And what I appreciate from him is that he never hides. Never hides. And I’m not going to value if he makes the right pass, the right execution. But whatever happens in any action, he’s the one that is, he’s a leader. He’s a leader.”
There are no real standout candidates for the Ballon d’Or award so far this year. For whoever contributes most to a World Cup win for their side, their name may be sung from atop the football heavens as the next winner in the same way that Lionel Messi did in 2022.
