Bruno Fernandes has been named Premier League Player of the Season, beating a strong shortlist that included David Raya, Gabriel, Declan Rice, Erling Haaland, and Morgan Gibbs-White. The 31-year-old Portugal midfielder compiled 20 assists and eight goals, matching Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne's single-season assist record. United host Brighton on Sunday with a chance to break that mark.

Fernandes already claimed the FWA Footballer of the Year award and guided United to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification. He is the first United player to win the Premier League award since Nemanja Matic in 2010-11. Former captain Roy Keane, however, has publicly criticized Fernandes for prioritizing personal stats over team results.

Keane questioned why the captain's mindset centered on assists rather than winning. After a recent match, Fernandes admitted he probably should have shot instead of passing. That admission sparked Keane's frustration. Manchester United's third-place finish reflects a season built around Fernandes' creativity, but his pursuit of the assists record has exposed a divide between individual ambition and collective goals.