Bruno Fernandes Named EA SPORTS Premier League Player of the Season
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been officially named the EA SPORTS Player of the Season for the 2025/26 campaign. The Portuguese midfielder’s recognition follows a standout individual performance that served as the engine for Manchester United’s resurgence, helping the club secure a top-three finish and a coveted UEFA Champions League qualification spot.
A Historic Campaign for the Midfielder
Fernandes has been in sensational form throughout the season, contributing directly to 28 goals across 37 Premier League appearances. His offensive output includes eight goals and a joint-record 20 assists, a feat that places him in elite company alongside former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry and ex-Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.
Reflecting on his record-equalling achievement after setting up Bryan Mbeumo’s goal in a 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, Fernandes expressed his satisfaction: “I’m exceptionally happy for the assist and for the win, and to finish the season on a high. I got to 20, let’s see [if I can get to 21], we have one more game. It’s the highest I’ve done in the Premier League so I am very happy with it.”
Beyond the goals and assists, Fernandes has established himself as the league’s most potent creator. He has tallied 132 chances created this season—43 more than the next-best performer, Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai. His influence on the pitch has also seen him surpass David Beckham’s previous Manchester United record for the most assists in a single Premier League season, which stood at 15 during the 1999/2000 campaign.
Recognition and Context
The Player of the Season award is determined by a combination of public votes and an expert panel. Fernandes’s victory marks the first time a Manchester United player has claimed the honor since defender Nemanja Vidic in 2011. This accolade adds to a successful individual campaign for the 31-year-old, who was also voted the EA SPORTS Player of the Month in March and has now matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of winning that monthly award six times.
The shortlist for this year’s top honor featured several of the league’s most impactful players, including:
- David Raya (Arsenal)
- Gabriel (Arsenal)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
- Igor Thiago (Brentford)
- Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
Key Takeaways
- Record-Breaking Performance: Fernandes has matched the Premier League record of 20 assists in a single season.
- Elite Creation: With 132 chances created, he leads the league by a significant margin.
- Team Success: His form has been central to Manchester United’s return to the Champions League.
- Looking Ahead: Fernandes has the opportunity to hold the all-time single-season assist record outright in Sunday’s final match against Aston Villa.
As the season concludes this Sunday, all eyes will be on Fernandes to see if he can secure a 21st assist, further cementing his place in the Premier League history books as the competition’s most prolific creator in a single campaign.
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