Bruno Fernandes has done it again, and this time it's not just on the pitch. The Manchester United captain, fresh off a stunning 2025/26 season that saw him shatter the Premier League's single-season assist record, has revealed a rather surprising detail about the very award he just won: the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Players’ Player of the Year. According to a video shared by the PFA on Tuesday night, Fernandes admitted he actually voted for an Arsenal player before going on to claim the coveted prize himself.
"I vote for some Arsenal player. I won’t say it was, but I vote for some Arsenal player," Fernandes said when asked about his ballot. This is quite the confession, considering the fierce rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal, two clubs that consistently battle at the top of the Premier League. The award, which is voted on by professional footballers across the league, means this victory is a true nod of approval from the very players Fernandes competes against week in and week out.
Fernandes broke the Premier League single-season assist record last season with a staggering 21 assists, surpassing legends like Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne who previously held the mark at 20. He also chipped in with nine goals, playing a crucial role in United’s remarkable recovery from a shaky start to secure a third-place finish and a return to Champions League football. His personal success, he says, comes down to maintaining self-belief through the ups and downs that are part and parcel of any top-level career.
"You have to believe in yourself all the time to understand that it’s going to be moments that will be ups and downs in your career," Fernandes explained. "So you just have to stick with the moments that you know you are capable of doing different things and keep doing your job." He added that being recognised by fellow players makes the award particularly special, a sentiment many winners share when they receive this particular honour.
Arsenal players were certainly well-represented on the shortlist, making up half of the six nominees. The Gunners' star performers Declan Rice, David Raya, and Gabriel Magalhães were all in contention, alongside Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki. Fernandes didn't hold back his praise for Mikel Arteta's side, acknowledging their strength throughout the season. "They were amazing. They were very, very strong, very difficult to play against," he commented. He specifically pointed out their impressive run to the Champions League final, a feat he believes they deserve immense respect for.
Now, with the individual accolades rolling in and a record-breaking season behind him, Fernandes is looking ahead. He acknowledged that Manchester United has work to do, particularly after a difficult opening to the current campaign. The club's return to the Champions League means a lot to the fans. Fernandes feels the team owes them a strong performance on Europe's biggest stage. "We want to give something back to the fans and I think being in that competition is the least we can do to give to them," he stated. The team's immediate focus is on responding positively in their upcoming home game, aiming to improve on last season's efforts.
The PFA award adds to an already glittering individual season for Fernandes, who also received recognition from the Football Writers' Association. His assist record, set in the 34-year history of the Premier League, is a testament to his creative genius. When asked if he thought the record would be broken soon, he expressed confidence that one of the top players in the league might achieve it in the coming years.