There has been plenty of debate in recent weeks about who will be chosen as the 2025/26 Premier League Player of the Year (POTY).
Many Manchester United fans believe that only one man should be in the conversation – Bruno Fernandes. Him first, the rest nowhere. It has been suggested in some quarters that Fernandes is now Man United royalty and it’s difficult to disagree with that viewpoint. With that in mind, read on as we explain why the Portuguese playmaker should be the undisputed number one choice for Player of the Year.
Fernandes demonstrates his versatility
Fernandes was deployed in a deeper midfield role by former manager Ruben Amorim, and it is fair to say that the move did not play to his strengths. However, despite operating in an unfavourable position, he was still United’s best player. He has gone through the gears since moving back to his natural position.
Interim manager Michael Carrick recognised what Fernandes brings to the table, playing him in front of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo. His decision has been rewarded with Champions League qualification and one of the finest seasons by a United player in recent memory.
Fernandes’ tally of eights goals and 19 assists in 32 league appearances only partially tell the tale of the influence he has had on United’s campaign. He has become the conductor of Carrick’s attacking orchestra in a way that no other player in the Premier League has come close to matching this season.
United star blows POTY rivals out of the water
Carrick’s decision to move Fernandes back into the number ten role has resulted in his heat map painting a much less scattergun picture than was the case under Amorim.
However, statistics of this nature are only part of the equation when determining whether Fernandes would be a worth winner of the Player of the Year award.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Declan Rice and Rayan Cherki have been touted as potential rivals to Fernandes and strong cases can be made for each. However, Fernandes is head and shoulders above them.
Szoboszlai has had a decent season with Liverpool, weighing in with six goals and five assists in 33 appearances. In simple terms, he is nowhere near as creative as Fernandes. His cause has not been helped by repeatedly being played out of position and playing for a team which has made an absolutely woeful defence of the Premier League title.
Several pundits have argued that Rice should win the award, particularly if he helps Arsenal clinch top spot at the end of the season. His tally of four goals and five assists is completely overshadowed by Fernandes’ return, although they play in different positions. Despite this, a player who cost more than £100 million should be delivering more. Rice’s penchant for going missing in games undoubtedly goes against him.
The case for Cherki to win the award is even less compelling. Four goals and 11 assists in 29 games is a decent return, but doesn’t come close to matching Fernandes. Fans of the Frenchman will argue that he has not been a regular starter this season, but that factor alone should be enough to rule him out of the POTY running.
The statistics point to this being the best version of Fernandes we have witnessed at United. More importantly, the eye test backs up that position. His output, consistency, creativity and overall influence on United’s fortunes place him on a pedestal above the rest. He would be a worthy winner of the Player of the Year award.
