Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes eyes a historic double after his name appeared on six‑man shortlist for the 2026 PFA Player of the Year award. The Portugal international, who lifted the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year trophy last month, joins Arsenal’s Declan Rice, David Raya and Gabriel Magalhães, plus Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland, and his leadership on and off the pitch.

Fernandes set a new Premier League record for United this season with 21 assists in total, a tally that helped United clinch third place and secure Champions League qualification. His contribution also earned him the league’s Player of the Season award last week, putting pressure on Haaland, the only former winner among the nominees, to defend his 2023 honours.

If Fernandes captures the PFA prize, he becomes the first Old Trafford player since Wayne Rooney in 2010 to do so, cementing his status as United’s season‑long lynchpin. The award ceremony at Manchester’s Opera House on August 25 will decide whether the midfielder adds a second major accolade to his résumé, joining the elite list of dual‑award winners.