Source: @PFA

The PFA Player of the Year Awards have recognised two outstanding campaigns at the top level of English football, with the men’s and women’s prizes reflecting individual influence on successful seasons. The awards also recognised emerging talent, while the PFA Premier League Team of the Year offered a useful snapshot of the players who made the strongest impression during 2025/26.

Bruno Fernandes sets the standard

Fernandes’ victory feels particularly fitting given the way he shaped Manchester United’s attacking play throughout the campaign. The Portuguese midfielder registered a Premier League record 21 assists and added nine league goals, giving him a direct hand in 30 goals.

His creativity was the defining feature. Fernandes was not simply the final passer in United’s attacks. His ability to dictate tempo, find runners early and create opportunities from different areas of the pitch made him one of the division’s most influential attacking midfielders.

The award is also significant for United. Fernandes became the club’s first PFA Player of the Year winner since Wayne Rooney in 2010. He is only the second Portuguese player to claim the honour, following Cristiano Ronaldo.

Khadija Shaw continues her dominance

Shaw’s latest PFA award reinforces her status as one of the defining strikers of the modern WSL. The Manchester City forward scored 21 league goals and collected her third consecutive WSL Golden Boot as City secured the league title.

Her second PFA Player of the Year award in three seasons reflects more than her goalscoring output. Shaw combines physical power, intelligent movement and a clinical touch, making her difficult to contain even when opponents manage to limit her opportunities.

Her consistency has also become remarkable. Rather than relying on one exceptional campaign, Shaw has repeatedly remained among the WSL’s most productive attacking players.

O’Reilly and Smith underline the future

Nico O’Reilly’s Young Player of the Year award caps a season in which his versatility became one of his biggest strengths. The Manchester City player made 53 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals and registering six assists.

Under Pep Guardiola, O’Reilly developed into a highly effective left-back while retaining the qualities that originally marked him out as a midfielder. His two goals in City’s Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal were another indication of his ability to influence major matches.

Olivia Smith retained the Women’s Young Player of the Year award, becoming a two-time winner. She previously collected the prize for her performances at Liverpool before repeating the achievement after moving to Arsenal. Winning with two different clubs gives her success an added dimension.

Arsenal and Manchester City dominate the Team of the Year

The PFA Premier League Team of the Year reflects the strength of Arsenal’s title-winning campaign and City’s individual quality. David Raya, Jurriën Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Declan Rice represent Arsenal, while Manchester City contributes O’Reilly, Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo. Fernandes and Brentford’s Igor Thiago complete the XI.

Taken together, the PFA Player of the Year Awards offer a useful snapshot of the season. Fernandes represented creative influence, Shaw sustained elite goalscoring standards, while O’Reilly and Smith showed that the next generation is already making a substantial impact at the highest level.